ACS Poll: Many Americans Have False Beliefs Regarding Cancer

In a new study published in the journal Cancer, researchers have found that Americans are misinformed about basic cancer risk factors and are likely to believe unsupported studies and claims regarding the disease.

The survey was conducted by Kevin Stein, affiliate of the Behavioral Research Center of the American Cancer Society (ACS) in Atlanta, Georgia, and Ted Gansler academic in the Department of Health Promotion also at the ACS.

The study was prompted because of the concern that imprecise views regarding cancer may contribute to harmful lifestyle behaviors and lead to improper observance of prevention and screening guidelines.

To gain insight about public views, the researchers evaluated the sociodemographic correlates regarding scientifically unfounded beliefs with respect to cancer.

The survey was conducted via telephone interviews and included 957 adults nationwide. In order to participate in the study, individuals needed to affirm that they did not have a history of cancer. The survey consisted of 12 statements regarding cancer risks factors and prevention strategies that were arranged in a manner to be opposite to current scientific evidence.

An example of one of the statements was asking survey participants about risk factors for lung cancer. Options included smoking and pollution. As per the report, there was a trend of inconsistency with respect to being able to recognize statements and claims that were actually false. Almost 40% of people in the survey stated that pollution was a greater risk factor for lung cancer than smoking. Another 19% were uncertain about the causes of lung cancer.

About a quarter of the participants stated that 5 out of 12 false-statements were true. The researchers also reported that over 15% of the respondents were unable to ascertain the certainty of 7 of the 12 statements. Conversely, more than two-thirds of participants were able to recognize that 7 statements were false. On average, less than 3 statements were accepted as true.

There was a sociodemographic association with respect to identifying false declarations. Survey participants that were older, less-educated, had lower income, male, and non-white were the most likely to have misconceptions about cancer.

The authors concluded that a considerable part of the population has significant misconceptions about cancer. They also expressed concern over their findings that individuals with the poorest scientific knowledge were also the same ones that have to contend with the largest burden of cancer.

As per the ACS press release, Dr. Gansler stated that "Make sure you can trust your sources of cancer information, there's a substantial number of people who are very concerned about cancer but are not paying attention to the right issues and they are not getting their information from the right sources."

Dr. Gansler emphasized that trustworthy sources of cancer information are non-profit organizations such as the American Cancer Society and federal bodies such as National Cancer Institute and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He also added that other good sources included nationally recognized cancer hospitals and treatment centers. He also cautioned the public to be skeptical of any cancer information that arrives via email or that is unsolicited.

The study was funded by the American Cancer Society, the Discovery Health Channel, and Prevention Magazine.

Sources:

Cancer Journal:

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/114294403/ABSTRACT

American Cancer Society:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_How_Much_Do_You_Know_About_What_Causes_Cancer.asp