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Sociodemographic determinants of cancer treatment health literacy

  1. Ted Gansler M.D., M.B.A.1,‡,*,
  2. S. Jane Henley M.S.P.H.2,
  3. Kevin Stein Ph.D.3,
  4. Eric J. Nehl M.S.4,
  5. Carol Smigal M.P.H.2,
  6. Edwin Slaughter M.A.5,†

Article first published online: 27 JUN 2005

DOI: 10.1002/cncr.21194

Issue

Cancer

Cancer

Volume 104, Issue 3, pages 653–660, 1 August 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

Gansler, T., Henley, S. J., Stein, K., Nehl, E. J., Smigal, C. and Slaughter, E. (2005), Sociodemographic determinants of cancer treatment health literacy. Cancer, 104: 653–660. doi: 10.1002/cncr.21194

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Health Promotion, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia

  2. 2

    Department of Epidemiology and Surveillance Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia

  3. 3

    Behavioral Research Center, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Gerogia

  4. 4

    Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana

  5. 5

    Advertising and Trends Research, Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, Pennsylvania

  1. †

    Merck & Co., North Wales, Pennsylvania

  1. ‡

    Fax: (404) 325-9341

*Department of Health Promotion, American Cancer Society, 1599 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 18 JUL 2005
  2. Article first published online: 27 JUN 2005
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 29 MAR 2005
  4. Manuscript Received: 16 MAR 2005

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Keywords:

  • health knowledge;
  • health education;
  • patient education;
  • neoplasms;
  • attitude to health

A telephone survey of adult U.S. residents revealed a high prevalence of several misconceptions regarding treatment. There were substantial socioeconomic differences in the prevalence of these misconceptions, which may be a factor contributing to disparities in cancer outcomes.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Ethnic and racial disparities in cancer outcomes are often attributed to sociodemographic factors, including income, education, insurance status, and access to quality cancer care. Less attention has been directed toward other possible contributors, such as misconceptions about cancer and its treatment.

METHODS

Nine hundred fifty-seven U.S. adults who reported that they had never been diagnosed with cancer were identified and surveyed using a random digit dialing telephone survey. Sociodemographic associations with endorsement of five misconceptions about cancer treatment were evaluated by weighted logistic regression.

RESULTS

The most prevalent misconception, “Treating cancer with surgery can cause it to spread throughout the body,” was endorsed as true by 41% of the respondents. The second most prevalent misconception, “The medical industry is withholding a cure for cancer from the public in order to increase profits, ” was identified as true by 27%. The statement, “Pain medications are ineffective against cancer pain, ” was accurately rejected by 68% of the respondents, and 89% of the respondents correctly disagreed with the statement, “All you need to beat cancer is a positive attitude, not treatment. ” Eighty-seven percent of the respondents were able to identify the statement, “Cancer is something that cannot be effectively treated,” as false. Respondents who were older, nonwhite, Southern, or indicated being less informed about cancer endorsed the most misconceptions.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of at least three of the five cancer misconceptions was unacceptably high, and varied by several sociodemographic factors. These beliefs may increase the risk for cancer morbidity and mortality because of poor adherence to treatment regimens. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.

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