How to Improve Cancer Prevention Knowledge? A Way to Identify Gaps and Tackle the Limited Availability of Health Education Services in Primary Health Care Using the European Code Against Cancer

Abstract

IntroductionThe first line of action against cancer is primary and secondary prevention. Increased efforts are needed in countries where cancer mortality is high and the healthcare system is inefficient. Objectives: Our aim was to present a new solution to identify and fill gaps in health education services in accordance with the European Code Against Cancer (ECAC).Materials and MethodsThis study was carried out in a rural population of 122 beneficiaries of health education workshops financed by the Polish Cancer League. A self-developed questionnaire was used. PQStat v1.6.8. was also applied.ResultsOur respondents were mostly farmers (53.3%) and manual workers (16.4%). Most participants self-assessed their health knowledge as good (46.7%). While 42% of all respondents claimed to know the healthy eating pyramid, only 8.2% correctly recognised all of its principles and 23.8% realised the importance of limiting the consumption of red meat. The most commonly recognised cancer risk factor were genetics (72.1%), stimulants such as alcohol or tobacco (51.5%) and environmental pollution (45.1%). UV radiation was not commonly recognised as a risk factor by respondents despite high occupational exposure in this population. We found a high percentage of male smokers. As many as 64.8% of respondents had not been counselled on cancer prevention in their clinics. A family history of cancer (FHC) did not differentiate respondents' health knowledge, health behaviors, or frequency of receiving cancer prevention counselling. Health education and health promotion in the region were unsatisfactory.ConclusionsPrimary health care (PHC) should become more involved in promoting cancer prevention knowledge. One way could be to encourage health professionals to promote the ECAC. Cancer prevention should target especially persons with FHC and focus on modifiable cancer risk factors. At the workshops we were able to adjust the strength of each ECAC recommendation to best fit the target audience. By diagnosing and targeting specific communities, we can draw the attention of PHC staff and decision-makers to local health promotion needs, which is a good starting point for improving the situation. However, larger scale projects are needed to help design specific solutions to support primary healthcare in promoting ECAC.

Influencing factors of cancer prevention and control among urban and rural adults in Fujian, China: A cross-sectional survey

“…In line with previous studies ( 5 , 9 , 11 ), we also found that residents in urban areas or with a family history of cancer were more likely to have a higher core knowledge rate. The differences seen when comparing areas of residence can be explained by the urban-rural disparity in access to health services and exposure to certain risk factors ( 20 ).…”

“…Currently in China, urban-rural disparities are obvious, with people living in urban areas having greater cancer knowledge as well as higher cancer rates ( 21 ). In addition, a family history of cancer may reflect genetic as well as behavioral and environmental risks shared by family members ( 9 ). Health promotion theories, such as the Health Belief Model and protection motivation, predict that people are more likely to take preventive actions when they perceive their risk of negative health outcomes to be high ( 16 ).…”

“…Since 2015, China has made efforts to confront its rapidly increasing cancer burden by implementing a series of plans and policies focused on cancer control ( 6 , 7 ), in which primary and secondary prevention is always the first line of action ( 8 ). This includes improving the general population's knowledge regarding cancer prevention ( 5 , 9 ). Although knowledge alone will not prevent cancer, it is necessary before one can take action ( 10 ).…”

“…Li et al ( 5 ) and Yu and Baade ( 14 ) have reported that individuals with lower levels of core prevention knowledge of cancer had more diagnoses of cancer after a median follow-up of 3.3 years. Low levels of cancer prevention core knowledge negatively impact individuals' attitudes, healthy lifestyles, and positive health behaviors ( 9 , 15 ). These negative effects may be more prevalent in Eastern cultures, where people tend to reason holistically, believe in the relatedness of objects and events, and consider things to be constantly changing cyclically in everyday life (i.e., naïve dialecticism) ( 16 ).…”

Assessment of pharmacy students’ knowledge about breast cancer and colon cancer in Northern Cyprus universities

“…It is important to determine the level of knowledge about cancer in university students studying in the field of health and to increase their lacking knowledge. 7 Previous studies revealed the lack of knowledge of university students about cancer topics. [8][9][10][11] Irfan et al showed that pharmacy and physiotherapy students did not have knowledge regarding the procedures of breast self-examination in Pakistan.…”