Public Perceptions on Cancer Incidence and Survival: A Nation-wide Survey in Korea.
- Author:
Soyeun KIM
1
;
Dong Wook SHIN
;
Hyung Kook YANG
;
So Young KIM
;
Young Jin KO
;
BeLong CHO
;
Young Sung LEE
;
Dukhyoung LEE
;
Keeho PARK
;
Jong Hyock PARK
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Perception; Cancer incidence; Cancer survival; Worry; Health numeracy
- MeSH: Adult; Breast; Caregivers; Data Collection; Female; Friends; Health Literacy; Humans; Incidence*; Korea*; Lung; Male; Patient Education as Topic; Survival Rate
- From:Cancer Research and Treatment 2016;48(2):775-788
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the public perceptions of the incidence rates and survival rates for common cancers with the actual rates from epidemiologic data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a survey of Korean adults without history of cancer (n=2,000). The survey consisted of questions about their perceptions regarding lifetime incidence rates and 5-year survival rates for total cancer, as well as those of eight site-specific cancers. To investigate associated factors, we included questions about cancer worry (Lerman's Cancer Worry Scale) or cared for a family member or friend with cancer as a caregiver. RESULTS: Only 19% of Korean adults had an accurate perception of incidence rates compared with the epidemiologic data on total cancer. For specific cancers, most of the respondents overestimated the incidence rates and 10%-30% of men and 6%-18% of women had an accurate perception. A high score in "cancer worry" was associated with higher estimates of incidence rates in total and specific cancers. In cancers with high actual 5-year survival rates (e.g., breast and thyroid), the majority of respondents underestimated survival rates. However, about 50% of respondents overestimated survival rates in cancers with low actual survival rates (e.g., lung and liver). There was no factor consistently associated with perceived survival rates. CONCLUSION: Widespread discrepancies were observed between perceived probability and actual epidemiological data. In order to reduce cancer worry and to increase health literacy, communication and patient education on appropriate risk is needed.
