AMERICANS KNOWLEDGE OF CANCER RISK AND SURVIVAL

Background. There are more than 500,000 deaths from cancer each year i n the United States. This study examines Americans' knowledge of risk factors for breast, cervical, colon, and prostate cancers, which accou nt for over 130,000 of these deaths, and their knowledge of the prospe cts of surviving these cancers following early detection. Methods. Dat a were obtained from 12,035 subjects who completed the 1992 National H ealth interview Survey Cancer Control Supplement which includes questi ons about cancer risk factors and survival. Results. The majority of r espondents were unable to identify major cancer risk factors when prom pted with a list. Approximately two-thirds did not recognize that age increased the risk for breast and colon cancer, that diet increased ti le risk for colon cancer, or that multiple sex partners increased the risk for cervical cancer. Knowledge about survival was also poor. Only about half thought they had a good chance of survival following early detection of colon and cervical cancers, for which 5-year relative su rvival exceeds 90%. Conclusions. Americans lack knowledge about major risk factors for common cancers and about the prospects of survival fo llowing early detection. Knowledge about risk factors and about surviv al from cervical and colon cancers was poor at all ages, among all rac es, at all income levels, and at all educational levels, it was poores t among blacks and Hispanics and among those with the lowest income an d least education. Americans need education about cancer risk factors and survival.