Cancer Misconceptions Live On

Older cancer myths still affect public perceptions about the disease, and many current lifestyle messages are not being recognized, according to a recent study published online in the journal Clinical Oncology.

The research, conducted to determine patient beliefs about the causes of cancer, was carried out by experts at the University of Leicester and Leicester’s Hospitals between September 2007 and January 2010. It comprised 279 British South Asian patients and British white patients who were aware they had cancer. It aimed to compare knowledge about the outcome of cancer treatment, beliefs about the causes of cancer, and the impact of these beliefs upon the patients’ mental health.

Study results showed that:

• Pollution and stress were emphasized as causes of cancer in both groups
• Almost 25% of the patients thought cancer was caused by injury
• 20% believed that cancer could spread via surgery
• Smoking was generally accepted as a cause of cancer
• Knowledge regarding the roles diet, obesity, and lack of exercise play in the development of the disease was lacking
• A majority involved in the study believed cancer to be curable
• Among all patients, 93% recognized the benefits of early screening

This research is part of a larger study with the long-term goal of improving psychological support for cancer patients, since the way patients understand cancer can have a major influence on how they cope with the disease psychologically.

“It is clear that there is a continual need for education into the causes of cancer. The good news is that the majority of the sample believed that cancer was curable and screening effective, while 84% appreciated that smoking could cause cancer. This shows that some messages are getting through, but we clearly have more work to do in educating the public on the effect of diet and obesity,” said Professor Paul Symonds, of the Department for Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine at the University of Leicester.

Source: University of Leicester.