Health Literacy and Cancer Communication

Abstract

Health literacy is increasingly recognized as a critical factor affecting communication across the continuum of cancer care. We reviewed research on health literacy and examined its impact on cancer outcomes and communication. According to the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS), considered the most accurate portrait of literacy in our society, about one in five American adults may lack the necessary literacy skills to function adequately in our society. As patients, such individuals are at a disadvantage in their capacity to obtain, process, and understand cancer information and services needed to make appropriate health care decisions. Patients with poor health literacy have a complex array of difficulties with written and oral communication that may limit their understanding of cancer screening and of symptoms of cancer, adversely affecting their stage at diagnosis. In addition, these barriers impair communication and discussion about risks and benefits of treatment options, and patient understanding of informed consent for routine procedures and clinical trials. More research is needed to identify successful methods for educating and communicating with patients who have limited health literacy. Based on our own experience, we offer practical communication aids that can help bridge the cancer communication gap.

Patient Barriers to Follow-Up Care for Breast and Cervical Cancer Abnormalities

“…56,59 Latina women exhibited low literacy levels such as difficulty understanding written medical communication. Low literacy poses a concern as studies have reported delays in diagnosis 60 and lack of knowledge of the benefits of early cancer detection 61 with low health literacy. This study has several limitations.…”

Turkish Social Attitudes towards to Cancer Prevention: a Health Belief Model Study

“…Cenesiz and Atak indicated that a positive relation was found between the level of knowledge of breast cancer with BSE and mammography. Some studies have reported that knowledge influence cancer screening practices (Davis et al, 2002;Chiu et al, 2005;Elmubarak et al, 2005;Markovic et al, 2005;Kwon et al, 2006).…”

“…To have a fatalistic view can be a barrier for the people to take an effective role in health behaviors. Some studies indicate among some population subgroups, fatalism has been described as the belief that cancer "is unpreventable, untreatable, inevitable and ultimately leads to death" (Davis et al, 2002;Young et al, 2002;Elmubarak et al, 2005). Not go to the doctors for control unless people do not feel fine, negatively affect the early diagnosis.…”

Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening Among the Medically Underserved: A Pilot Study within a Federally Qualified Health Center

“…This included an hour-long training and education session that reviewed the current American Cancer Society screening recommendations and the use of specific communication skills identified in health literacy initiatives (e.g., avoidance of medical jargon, teach back, layering of health information). 16 Colonoscopy was viewed as the preferred recommendation. However, FOBT and flexible sigmoidoscopy were also available and considered equally viable screening tests for patients.…”