Fatalistic beliefs about cancer

If you feel that you are fated for cancer, your belief could turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. As per a national survey of more than 6,000 U.S. adults reported in the recent issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a substantial number of American adults hold fatalistic beliefs about cancer and are correspondingly less likely to take basic steps to lower their cancer risk, such as exercising, quitting smoking and eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

The study, which analyzes data from the National Cancer Institutes Health Information National Trends Survey, is the first national survey in almost 20 years to assess Americans knowledge about and attitudes toward cancer prevention. The findings have implications for cancer education efforts.

"A number of Americans seem to feel afraid and helpless in regards to cancer, which may be exacerbated by conflicting news reports and a general lack of education on the causes and prevention of cancer," said Jeff Niederdeppe, Ph.D., professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. "They say well, there is nothing much you can do about it and, as our survey shows, they indeed do nothing about it".

The survey asked respondents if they agreed with three statements about cancer. About 47 percent of those surveyed agreed with the statement that "It seems like almost everything causes cancer," while 27 percent agreed that "Theres not much people can do to lower their chances of getting cancer." Moreover, 71.5 percent of American adults agreed that "There are so a number of recommendations about preventing cancer, its hard to know which ones to follow".

People who maintained at least one of these three beliefs were less likely than others to exercise weekly and eat five daily servings of fruits and vegetables. People who believed that "its hard to know" what to do were more likely to smoke. All three beliefs, the scientists say, were linked to lower levels of education.

Despite the ready availability of cancer information, the scientists conclude, there has been little progress in changing the belief that "everything causes cancer" in the last 20 years. As per the researchers, it is unclear whether and to what degree media coverage of cancer influences beliefs. While this study did not specifically address the news medias role in enforcing cancer fatalism, Niederdeppe believes that the constantly changing messages people get from the news are often confusing.

"Cancer is a difficult thing to talk about in the space of a single news story," Niederdeppe said. "Science values repetition, while the media values novelty. Those two concepts naturally butt heads, which can confuse people".

If conflicting news accounts of cancer prevention science are the cause of confusion, Niederdeppe says, educators ought to focus on developing simple, straightforward messages in teaching the general public about what they can do to prevent disease.


Posted by: Janet    Source