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2009-04-06 07:22:41
Two thirds of people have not changed their diet or lifestyle to reduce the
risk of cancer, a survey for the BBC's Newsnight programme has found.
This is despite evidence and public health campaigns that highlight diet and
lifestyle as a cause of between a third to a half of all cancers.
The poll of 1,000 adults found over a third said that they tried to ignore
cancer or hardly ever think about it.
One cancer expert said new ways were needed to convey health messages.
It's very difficult for governments, whatever their politics are, to tread
the fine line between a nanny state and telling people what they need to know
Professor Karol Sikora, cancer expert
The poll also asked people whether or not they felt they had been told enough
about cancer.
A third felt they did not have enough information about the symptoms of the
most common forms of cancer, while only 45% said they had enough information on
all of the four most common forms - breast, prostate, lung and bowel.
Women were more likely to feel they had enough information, with 48% saying
they knew enough about cancer symptoms.
Men are almost twice as likely as women to bury their heads in the sand with
22% "hardly ever" thinking about cancer.
And a quarter of 18-24 year olds also rarely thought about the disease.
When asked about the government's actions, most 60% - did think the government
has provided enough clear advice about ways to change their diet and lifestyle
to reduce the risk of cancer.
And the majority praised UK cancer treatment. Two thirds said it was "fairly
good" while 13% said it was excellent.
Warning signs
The number of people who would seek help if they found potential signs of
cancer was relatively high.
Some 86% of people would contact their GP immediately if they discovered they
were 'bleeding from the back passage' - which can be a sign of bowel cancer.
And almost as many would go straight to their GP if they were 'coughing up
phlegm with signs of blood in it', a potential lung cancer symptom.
Almost all women - 95% - said they would contact their GP if they discovered
they have a lump on their breast. Only 1% would not.
But half of women say they would not go to their doctor straight away if they
had irregular periods, which can be a sign of ovarian cancer.
However 85% of men would go straight to their GP if they were having
difficulties passing urine - a potential sign of prostate cancer.
Professor Karol Sikora, medical director of CancerPartnersUK, said the poll
showed how people contradict themselves.
"They want more information, but when they get it they don't do anything about
it.
"It's very difficult for governments, whatever their politics are, to tread the
fine line between a nanny state and telling people what they need to know."
He said innovative approaches that were directly relevant to people's lives
could be more effective.
"It's amazing how much of a difference Jade Goody made to cervical screening.
"It may be the way to get through to people, through people they really respect
or identify with, rather than the standard, rather boring and dry advice people
get now."
Richard Evans, of the World Cancer Research Fund, said: "Research has shown
that about 40% of people do not know that things like diet and body fat are
linked to cancer.
"But scientists estimate that about a third of the most common cancers in the
UK could be prevented by eating healthily, being physically active and
maintaining a healthy weight.
"This is why we need to do more to get across the positive message that by
making healthy choices today, people can reduce their risk of developing cancer
later in life."