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Public understanding of the purpose of cancer screening: A population-based survey.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

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  • AJ Chorley
  • Y Hirst
  • C Vrinten
  • Wagner C von
  • J Wardle
  • J Waller
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>30/06/2017
<mark>Journal</mark>Journal of medical screening
Issue number2
Volume25
Number of pages6
Pages (from-to)64-69
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date22/05/17
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Objectives:In examining informed choice in cancer screening, we investigated public awareness that some screening pro-grammes aim to prevent cancer, while others seek to detect cancer at an early stage.Methods:A population-based survey of adults aged 50–70 in England (n¼1433), including data on demographic characteristicsand screening experience. Participants were asked to select the main purpose of cervical, breast, and colorectal cancerscreening (both faecal occult blood testing and flexible sigmoidoscopy).Results:Across all four screening programmes, most people thought the main aim was to catch cancer early (71–78%). Only 18and 14% knew that cervical screening and flexible sigmoidoscopy, respectively, are primarily preventive. Knowledge of thepreventive aspect of these two programmes was low across the board, with few demographic patterns. By contrast, 78 and73% of the sample were aware that breast screening and the faecal occult blood test, respectively, predominantly aim to detectcancer early. For these programmes, accurate knowledge was socially graded, lower in ethnic minority groups, and positivelyassociated with previous participation in the programmes.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that although awareness of the purpose of early detection screening is high, awareness thatscreening can prevent cancer is low across all demographic groups. Understanding the purpose of screening is a key aspect ofinformed choice but despite current communication strategies highlighting these differences, people do not seem to have anuanced understanding of these differing aims. Our findings may be indicative of a broader public scepticism about the pre-ventability of cancer.