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. 2023 Jun;17(3):663-676.
doi: 10.1007/s11764-023-01367-4. Epub 2023 Apr 12.

Screening practices of cancer survivors and individuals whose family or friends had a cancer diagnoses-a nationally representative cross-sectional survey in Japan (INFORM Study 2020)

Miki Akiyama  1 , Noriyuki Ishida  2 , Hiroyasu Takahashi  3 , Miyako Takahashi  4   5   6 , Aki Otsuki  7 , Yasunori Sato  2 , Junko Saito  7 , Akiko Yaguchi-Saito  7   8 , Maiko Fujimori  9 , Yuki Kaji  7 , Taichi Shimazu  7 ; INFORM Study Group
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Screening practices of cancer survivors and individuals whose family or friends had a cancer diagnoses-a nationally representative cross-sectional survey in Japan (INFORM Study 2020)

Miki Akiyama et al. J Cancer Surviv. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose: We examined cancer screening practices and related beliefs in cancer survivors and individuals with family or close friends with a cancer diagnosis compared to individuals without the above cancer history for 5 population-based (gastric, colorectal, lung, breast, cervical) and 1 opportunistic (prostate) cancer screenings using nationally representative cross-sectional survey in Japan.

Methods: We analyzed 3269 data from 3605 respondents (response rate, 37.1%) and compared the screening beliefs and practices of cancer survivors (n = 391), individuals with family members (n = 1674), and close friends with a cancer diagnosis (n = 685) to those without any cancer history (n = 519).

Results: Being a cancer survivor was associated with screening for gastric (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.04-2.95), colorectal (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.03-2.36), and lung cancer (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.10-2.66) but not breast, cervical cancer or PSA test. Having a family cancer diagnosis was associated with colorectal and lung cancer screening. Having friends with a cancer diagnosis was associated with PSA test. Cancer survivors and family members perceived themselves as being more susceptible and worried about getting cancer than individuals without any cancer history. Cancer survivors strongly believed screening can detect cancer and were more likely to undergo screening. Subgroup analysis indicated an interrelation between gastric and colorectal cancer screening among survivors.

Conclusions: A cancer diagnosis in oneself or family or friend influences an individual's health-related belief and risk perception, which can increase the likelihood of cancer screening.

Implications for cancer survivors: Targeted and tailored communication strategies can increase awareness of cancer screening.

Keywords: Cancer diagnosis in family; Cancer diagnosis in friend; Cancer screening; Cancer survivor; Health belief model; Screening behavior.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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