Cancer Prevention Survey Shows Americans Confused About Cancer Prevention
Survey Also Shows Doctors Play Important Role in Debunking Cancer Prevention Myths
Alexandria, Va. - Americans know that there are steps they can take to reduce their risk of getting cancer, but many are confused as to what those steps are, according to a survey conducted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation (CRPF) and released Monday, June 2 at ASCO’s Annual Meeting in Chicago.
The Cancer Prevention Survey, conducted by WirhtlinWorldwide, interviewed 1,000 American adults and 150 primary care physicians. According to the survey, 88 percent of Americans believe they can personally take action to prevent cancer. To reduce their cancer risk, 56 percent believe they should change their diet and 50 percent say they should stop smoking. Other risk reducing initiatives include:
- regular exercise (33 percent);
- getting regular cancer screenings (26 percent); and
- using sunscreen (24 percent) can reduce their risk of getting cancer.
Twelve percent of respondents said they cannot do anything to prevent cancer, as cancer is something "you just get" that cannot be controlled. According to the survey of primary care physicians, doctors strongly believe their patients need to take greater personal responsibility in cancer prevention.
"Clearly, Americans are confused about cancer prevention," said Carolyn Aldigé, president and founder of the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation. "The fact is, we are better positioned today to change behaviors that add to the lifetime risk of getting this disease. The best way to control cancer is to prevent it altogether."
"As the leading society representing cancer care and prevention specialists, ASCO is committed to helping patients and primary care physicians get the information they need to become better educated about their cancer risk and prevention techniques," said Paul A. Bunn, Jr., MD, President of ASCO. "This survey will help us determine where are the gaps in perception as to what activities the public can undertake to prevent cancer, so we can help the public play a more integral role in their health."
Myths and Realities of Cancer Prevention
The survey results also show that although people know they can take steps to
reduce their cancer risk, they don’t necessarily have all of the information
they need as to what practical actions they can take. The survey results
indicate that there are six main "myths," or gaps in perception as to what does
and does not matter when it comes to cancer prevention. A summary of these
"myths" and the actual steps people can take to reduce cancer risk are:
- Myth #1: Exercise won’t reduce my risk of cancer.
- Fact: In the Cancer Prevention Survey, only slightly more than one-half of
respondents agreed that they could reduce their risk of cancer through exercise.
In fact, scientific studies have shown that exercise can reduce the risk of
certain cancers, including colon cancer and breast cancer. Regular physical
activity also can help people maintain a healthy weight, which also contributes
to cancer risk reduction. People should try to exercise at least 30 minutes a
day, five or more days a week.
- Fact: In the Cancer Prevention Survey, only slightly more than one-half of
respondents agreed that they could reduce their risk of cancer through exercise.
In fact, scientific studies have shown that exercise can reduce the risk of
certain cancers, including colon cancer and breast cancer. Regular physical
activity also can help people maintain a healthy weight, which also contributes
to cancer risk reduction. People should try to exercise at least 30 minutes a
day, five or more days a week.
- Myth #2: What I eat doesn’t matter when it comes to cancer prevention.
- Fact: Only 38 percent of survey respondents strongly agree that eating the
right amount of fruits and vegetables every day reduces their cancer risk. While
information in this area has been confusing, there is scientific evidence
that a diet high in vegetables and fruits and low in animal fat or calories can
reduce the risk of some common cancers. How nutrients work in the body is
complex, and more studies need to be done. In the meantime, people should eat
five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day; choose whole grains over
processed grains and sugar; limit consumption of red meats; and choose foods
that help them maintain a healthy weight.
- Fact: Only 38 percent of survey respondents strongly agree that eating the
right amount of fruits and vegetables every day reduces their cancer risk. While
information in this area has been confusing, there is scientific evidence
that a diet high in vegetables and fruits and low in animal fat or calories can
reduce the risk of some common cancers. How nutrients work in the body is
complex, and more studies need to be done. In the meantime, people should eat
five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day; choose whole grains over
processed grains and sugar; limit consumption of red meats; and choose foods
that help them maintain a healthy weight.
- Myth #3: Being overweight doesn’t increase my cancer risk.
- Fact: Only one-third of respondents believe that maintaining a healthy weight
will decrease their chance of getting cancer. In fact, maintaining a healthy
weight is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of cancers of the colon,
pancreas, breast and others. Recent studies have shown that as many as one-third
of cancers could be related to obesity, and the costs of obesity to the health
care system are reaching that of smoking.
- Fact: Only one-third of respondents believe that maintaining a healthy weight
will decrease their chance of getting cancer. In fact, maintaining a healthy
weight is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of cancers of the colon,
pancreas, breast and others. Recent studies have shown that as many as one-third
of cancers could be related to obesity, and the costs of obesity to the health
care system are reaching that of smoking.
- Myth #4: I only need to apply sunscreen before going to the beach or pool.
- Fact: Only slightly more than one-third of respondents say they always apply
sunscreen before going to the beach or pool. People need not only to apply
sunscreen then, but also whenever they go outdoors. Skin cancer is the most
common-and preventable-cancer in the United States, affecting more than one
million people each year. People should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or
higher, regardless of their skin color or the weather, and they should reapply it every two hours.
- Fact: Only slightly more than one-third of respondents say they always apply
sunscreen before going to the beach or pool. People need not only to apply
sunscreen then, but also whenever they go outdoors. Skin cancer is the most
common-and preventable-cancer in the United States, affecting more than one
million people each year. People should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or
higher, regardless of their skin color or the weather, and they should reapply it every two hours.
- Myth #5: If someone in my family has cancer, I’m not at increased risk for
the disease.
- Fact: Just over one-third, or 34 percent, of the population strongly agrees
that they are at increased risk of cancer if a family member has had cancer. In
fact, if a first-degree relative-mother, father, sister, brother, son or
daughter-has had cancer, then people are at increased risk of cancer themselves.
Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed said they or an immediate family member has
had cancer. The amount of higher risk depends on the cancer site. However,
according to the American Cancer Society, only about 5 to 10 percent of cancers
are hereditary, so it is important for people to get screened regularly and to
know the symptoms associated with various cancers.
- Fact: Just over one-third, or 34 percent, of the population strongly agrees
that they are at increased risk of cancer if a family member has had cancer. In
fact, if a first-degree relative-mother, father, sister, brother, son or
daughter-has had cancer, then people are at increased risk of cancer themselves.
Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed said they or an immediate family member has
had cancer. The amount of higher risk depends on the cancer site. However,
according to the American Cancer Society, only about 5 to 10 percent of cancers
are hereditary, so it is important for people to get screened regularly and to
know the symptoms associated with various cancers.
- Myth #6: Taking vitamins or herbal supplements will reduce my chance of
getting cancer.
- Fact: Nearly 30 percent of Americans strongly agree that taking vitamins or herbal supplements will reduce their risk of getting cancer. In fact, there have been no scientific studies conducted specifically on herbal supplements that show they have any effect on reducing cancer risk. In fact, a 1996 study showed that people who smoked and took beta-carotene supplements had a higher incidence of and higher mortality from lung cancer. The best way to get cancer-fighting nutrients is from their natural source-food. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in these vitamins and minerals.
Doctors’ and Patients’ Perspectives
The survey also found that there is a disparity in the information that the
doctors believe they are providing to their patients compared to the
information the patients report receiving. Doctors say they are at the forefront
in helping patients address preventive cancer behavior. They feel very
knowledgeable when it comes to offering their patients the best advice on preventing cancer
and believe that they are at the forefront of proactively helping their
patients with cancer prevention. Doctors believe they have counseled
three-fourths, or 75 percent, of their patients on preventative cancer behavior.
However, only 45 percent of people claim that their doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional has spoken to them about cancer prevention. Of women ages 35 and older, 54 percent say they have had such a conversation, while 42 percent of men say the same. Fifty-three percent of individuals with higher incomes report having engaged in cancer related conversations with their doctors, compared to 35 percent of low-income individuals, though lower-income individuals claim to have made 2.7 more visits per year to the doctor than more affluent respondents. The percentage of Caucasian, African-American, and Hispanic respondents who claim their healthcare professional has spoken to them about cancer prevention is equal. Twenty-eight percent of doctors cite patient lack of interest, 25 percent cite insufficient time with their patients, and 23 percent cite lack of reimbursement as the major barriers to talking to their patients about cancer prevention.
Regarding cancer screening, doctor and patient perceptions are more consistent. Doctors report that they have counseled on average 67 percent of their patients to get some form of cancer screening. They further believe that two-thirds of those patients complied with their recommendation. Patients report similar results-nearly two-thirds of adults ages 55 and older claim that they have been advised by their healthcare professional to get a colonoscopy. Other forms of cancer also show high rates of screening recommendation-96 percent of women ages 45 and older have been advised by their healthcare professional to get a mammogram, 93 percent of women ages 18 and older have been advised to get a pap smear, and 86 percent of men ages 55 and older have been advised by their healthcare professional to get a prostate exam.
Forty-eight percent of doctors note that regular cancer screenings/tests represent the most important advance in cancer prevention, and 27 percent rank public education efforts, 23 percent rank smoking cessation programs, and 19 percent rank screening guidelines as most important. Doctors are encouraged but remain cautious on how effective they believe cancer screening guidelines are in reducing the number of cancer related deaths; 7 percent say the application of the guidelines is extremely effective, 40 percent say very effective, and 49 percent say they are somewhat effective.
Doctors and patients have similar viewpoints on the importance of the doctor’s advice when it comes to patients’ cancer prevention behavior. Overall, using a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means they did not follow their healthcare professional’s advice at all and 10 means they followed it perfectly, American adults average a 7.3 compliance, according to a self-rating. For their part, doctors believe that they have a fairly significant amount of influence on their patients’ cancer prevention behavior, rating themselves a 7.2 on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 means they believe they have a significant amount of influence. Slightly more than half of the public surveyed also recall having seen, heard, or read information about cancer prevention from a source other than a healthcare professional. But doctors are the primary source of information. With 45 percent of unaided mentions, the American public trusts their healthcare professionals more than any other source for cancer prevention information, and magazines and books come in second as the most trusted source for 35 percent of respondents. Doctors strongly believe that patients look to them for advice on how to prevent cancer.
The Cancer Prevention Survey, conducted by WirthlinWorldwide, gauged public perceptions about cancer prevention by conducting 1,000 telephone interviews among a random sample of the U.S. population over age 18 in late April and early May. In addition, 150 primary care physicians were surveyed on cancer prevention attitudes and their patients’ practices.
Statistical tests of significance have been conducted at the 95 percent confidence level. The data was weighted on race and ethnicity factors to ensure full representation of all races and ethnicities in this study.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional society of multidisciplinary medical professionals who treat people with cancer. ASCO’s more than 20,000 members from the U.S. and abroad set the standard for patient care worldwide and lead the fight for more effective cancer treatments, increased funding for clinical and translational research, and, ultimately, cures for the many different cancers that strike 1.3 million Americans every year. ASCO publishes the semi-monthly Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO), the foremost, peer-reviewed journal focusing on clinical cancer research, and produces the award-winning website People Living With Cancer (www.plwc.org), which provides oncologist-vetted cancer information to help patients and families make informed healthcare decisions.
The Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, formerly the Cancer Research Foundation of America, was started in 1985 when Founder and President Carolyn Aldigé first understood the power of prevention to defeat cancer - and recognized that too few of the country’s resources were used to promote cancer prevention research or education. Today, it is one of the nation’s leading health organizations and has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided nearly $60 million in research and education to 200 scientists from more than 150 of the nation’s most prestigious academic medical centers and has been pivotal in developing a body of knowledge that is the bases for important cancer prevention and early detection strategies. For more information on cancer prevention, visit the Foundation’s award-winning Web site, www.preventcancer.org.
06.04.03
19.Sept.'03