Cancer knowledge of the general public in the United Kingdom: survey in a primary care setting and review of the literature

Abstract

The likelihood of cure from cancer is usually dependent on the stage of disease at diagnosis. Some patients attend their general practitioner with a long preceding history of cancer symptoms. This may be due in part to a lack of recognition of the seriousness of the symptoms. We have conducted a survey of 406 adult patients in a two-centre primary care practice to determine their awareness of risk factors, presenting symptoms, treatments and support services for cancer. The two health centres are located in areas covering different socio-economic groups--one located in an affluent residential area, and the other a deprived inner-city population. Significant deficiencies were identified in the cancer knowledge of respondents. Personal or family history of cancer, younger age and female sex were associated with improved cancer awareness. A review is also presented of the previous published literature on the cancer knowledge of the general public in the U.K. The results suggest that overall the public knowledge of cancer is poor and greater attempts should be made to raise awareness.