Cancer prevention in the community: A survey of community residents

Lifestyle exposures account for the greatest proportion of risk factors for cancer, yet these exposures have proven mast difficult to alter. Despite i ntensive intervention efforts, many behaviour change programs are in suited to the community. This research was undertaken to increase our understandi ng of prevention activities of interest to a sample of residents in two Ont ario communities. 248 (62.3%) adult residents responded to a semi-structure d self-administered questionnaire including open-ended questions on health issues, exposures and prevention activities of interest, While some of the beliefs expressed by respondents might have been anticipated (e.g., cigaret te smoking and family history increase risk of cancer), others were not (e. g., only between 40 and 75% of respondents thought a high fat diet increase d risk). Furthermore, many of those with personal health concerns expressed an interest in prevention. This process is proposed as a first step in lau nching more appropriate and sustainable community-based health promotion pr ograms for cancer prevention.