Sociodemographics and their impacts on risk factor awareness and beliefs about cancer and screening: results from a cross-sectional study in Newfoundland and Labrador

Abstract

Background Our objective was to examine cancer risk factor awareness and beliefs about cancer treatment, outcomes, and screening, and how these are mediated by sociodemographic variables, among Newfoundland and Labrador residents. Methods Participants aged 35 to 74 were recruited through Facebook advertising, and a self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, Spearman rank correlations, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results Of the 1048 participants who responded and met the inclusion criteria for this study, 1019 were selected for this analysis. Risk factor recognition was generally good, though several risk factors had poor awareness: being over 70 years old (53.4% respondents aware), having a low-fiber diet (65.0%), and drinking more than 1 unit of alcohol per day (62.8%). Our results showed that the participants’ awareness of risk factors was significantly associated with higher income level (rs = 0.237, P < 0.001), higher education (rs = 0.231, P < 0.001), living in rural regions (rs = 0.163, P < 0.001), and having a regular healthcare provider (rs = 0.081, P = 0.010). Logistic regression showed that among NL residents in our sample, those with higher income, post-secondary education, those in very good or excellent health, and those with a history of cancer all had higher odds of having more positive beliefs about cancer treatment and outcomes. Those with a history of cancer, and those with very good or excellent health, also had higher odds of having more positive beliefs about cancer screening. Finally, compared to Caucasian/white participants, those who were non-Caucasian/white had lower odds of having more positive beliefs about cancer screening. Conclusion Among adults in NL, there was poor awareness that low-fiber diets, alcohol, and age are risk factors for cancer. Lower income and education, rural residence, and not having a health care provider were associated with lower risk factor awareness. We also found a few associations between sociodemographic factors and beliefs about cancer treatment and outcomes or screening. We stress that while addressing awareness is necessary, so too is improving social circumstances of disadvantaged groups who lack the resources necessary to adopt healthy behaviours.

Canadians’ knowledge of cancer risk factors and belief in cancer myths

“…For example, in the UK, 52% of known risk factors and 36% of cancer myths were accurately identified, compared to 70% of risk factors and 49% of myths in this study [ 19 ]. Variations in the average percentage of correctly identified cancer facts and myths were observed by demographic group, particularly for income, ethnicity, and age, consistent with previous studies [ 19 , 23 , 38 , 39 ]. Differences in beliefs about cancer myths and risk factors by thinking style were observed, suggesting that those who are more actively open-minded and prefer effortful thinking may be better able to identify cancer myths and risk factors, while those who are more close-minded and prefer intuitive thinking are less able.…”

“…These findings were consistent with results found in the UK [ 19 ]. However, in Newfoundland and Labrador, being over 70 years of age, drinking more than one unit of alcohol per day, and having a diet low in fibre were the least identified risk factors (≤ 65% correct) [ 23 ]. The results on relatively poor recognition of alcohol use and low fibre diets may not be as surprising as the fact that older age was poorly recognized as a factor; for most cancers, age is the most significant predictor of cancer risk [ 3 ].…”

“…Low levels of awareness of known risk factors have similarly been found in other countries, including Spain, Denmark, Sweden, and Ireland [ 20 – 22 ]. Overall awareness of cancer risk factors in Newfoundland and Labrador, a province in Canada, were comparatively higher [ 23 ].…”

Awareness on Risk Factors and Warning Signs and Belief about Cancer among General Public in a Community of Biratnagar, Morang

“…In our study, the risk factors which the greatest number of participants were aware of included chewing tobacco (90.4%) smoking (88%) second-hand smoking (60%) and environmental pollutions (47.3%). In a study conducted in Canada demonstrated the similar findings in which the majority of participants mentioned that smoking (97.44%) and second-hand smoking (96.55% ) could be risk factor for cancer (Shi et al, 2020).…”

Common myths and misconceptions about breast cancer causation among Palestinian women: a national cross-sectional study

“…A previous national study from Palestine found that having a chronic disease was not associated with good awareness of BC risk factors [ 8 ]. Another previous study also demonstrated that participants with no chronic diseases held significantly more positive beliefs about cancer than those with poor/fair health [ 50 ]. These observations are especially important because many previous studies have shown that women with BC were more likely to die from cancer as well as all-cause mortality if they had other comorbidities [ 51 – 53 ], and that individuals who rated their health as fair or poor were more likely to have barriers to seeking healthcare [ 54 ].…”