Level of Awareness of Various Aspects of Lung Cancer Among College Teachers in India: Impact of Cancer Awareness Programmes in Prevention and Early Detection

Abstract

Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer mortality among men in India and incidence is increasing, but actually, they are largely preventable diseases. In India, advanced stage at the time of presentation is responsible for high mortality and morbidity and early detection is the only way to reduce it. The purpose of this study is to know the level of awareness of various aspects of lung cancer among college teachers and impact of awareness programmes in its prevention and early detection. This assessment was part of Pink Chain Campaign-a campaign on cancer awareness. During the cancer awareness events in 2011-2013 at various women colleges in different parts in India, pre-test related to lung cancer was followed by awareness programme. Post-test using the same questionnaire was conducted at the end of interactive session, at 6 months and 1 year. A total of 872 out of 985 teachers participated in the study (overall response rate was 88.5 %). Mean age of the study population was 41.6 years (range 26-59 years). There was a significant increase in the level of knowledge regarding lung cancer at 6 months, and this was sustained at 1 year. Among teachers who were just asked yes or no question, 117 teachers (13.4 %) were smokers and 241 teachers (27.6 %) were alcoholics. Magazines and newspapers were sources for knowledge in 50-60 % of teachers, whereas approximately 30 % of teachers were educated by TV and Internet regarding various aspects of lung cancer. Post awareness at 6 months and 1 year, Pink Chain Campaign was the major source of knowledge related to lung cancer in more than 90 % of teachers by continuous and timely update on subject. Post awareness at 6 months and 1 year, there was a significant change in alcohol and smoking habits. Major reasons for not going for check-up were ignorance (83.1 %), fear (30.1 %) and lethargic attitude (29.3 %) initially, but over time, lack of time, lethargic attitude and hesitation became important factors after knowing various aspects of lung cancer. Knowledge of lung cancer was very low among teachers. Overall awareness of risk factors, sign and symptoms, screening modalities of lung cancer has improved in a year along with practices related to smoking and alcohol, but there was not much improvement in people undergoing regular check-ups. To inculcate safe practices in the lifestyle of people, awareness programmes such as the Pink Chain Campaign should be conducted more widely and frequently.

Lung cancer awareness and palliative care interventions implemented in Africa: A systematic scoping review’

“…The total sample size from primary studies was 3563 participants. Six studies showed majority of the participants to be males (19,(36)(37)(38)(39)(40) , two studies had a slight female preponderance (41,42), while one study (20) was a literature review . Of the nine studies included, 6 were cross-sectional studies (36-39, 41, 42), one was a pre-test and post-test study design (40), one was a prospective study (19) and one was a literature review (20).…”

“…Six studies showed majority of the participants to be males (19,(36)(37)(38)(39)(40) , two studies had a slight female preponderance (41,42), while one study (20) was a literature review . Of the nine studies included, 6 were cross-sectional studies (36-39, 41, 42), one was a pre-test and post-test study design (40), one was a prospective study (19) and one was a literature review (20). Of the nine included studies, eight studies described at least one lung cancer warning signs and symptoms (19,(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42), while one study described the effectiveness of palliative care for lung cancer (20).…”

“…Of the nine studies included, 6 were cross-sectional studies (36-39, 41, 42), one was a pre-test and post-test study design (40), one was a prospective study (19) and one was a literature review (20). Of the nine included studies, eight studies described at least one lung cancer warning signs and symptoms (19,(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42), while one study described the effectiveness of palliative care for lung cancer (20). The participants from one study had a good knowledge about lung cancer (42), one had a moderate knowledge of lung cancer (39), four studies had low level of knowledge about lung cancer (36,38,40,41) and one study stated that knowledge about lung cancer varied significantly by socio-demographic factors (37).…”

“…From the seven studies, participants from one study had a good knowledge about lung cancer (42), and another one had a moderate knowledge of lung cancer (39). In another study, knowledge about lung cancer varied widely, mainly by socio-demographic factors (37), whereas in other four studies, low levels of knowledge about lung cancer were revealed (36,38,40,41). A study conducted in Malaysia found that most of the students had a good knowledge about lung cancer (42).…”

“…All the participants from the seven studies showed a good knowledge for lung cancer risk factors (36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42). Regarding lung cancer signs and symptoms, two studies had a good knowledge about the signs and symptoms for lung cancer (36,42), three studies showed poor knowledge for lung cancer (38,40,41), one had a very poor knowledge about lung cancer signs and symptoms (39) and one study was not specific on the participant's knowledge of the signs and symptoms for lung cancer (37). Regarding the knowledge about lung cancer and smoking, two studies showed that about 92% (39) and 91.3% (36) of the participants mentioned that cigarette smoking was the most common risk factor of lung cancer respectively.…”