Half of American adults believe cancer myths

Jun 27 2005

A new survey has discovered the quite astonishing fact that almost half of American adults mistakenly believe that surgery can spread cancer, and more than one in four thinks that a cure for cancer exists but is being kept from the public by a profit-driven health-care industry.

The national telephone survey, led by Dr. Ted Gansler, involved 957 adults with no history of cancer, in a national telephone survey, in an attempt to assess Americans' understanding of the disease and its management.

Five statements of "cancer myths" were presented to the respondents who were then asked to reply true or false and it appeared that only 25 per cent identified all the misconceptions as false.

Forty-one per cent said surgical treatments actually spread cancer in the body, while another 13 per cent were unsure.

Even more surprising was that twenty-seven per cent said there was a cure for cancer available but it is being held back by the health-care industry, while another 14 per cent were uncertain about this.

Nineteen per cent mistakenly believed that pain medications are ineffective in treating cancer pain and 13 per cent didn't know.

However on the positive side, 89 per cent disagreed with the claim that "all you need to beat cancer is a positive attitude," and 87 per cent disagreed with the statement that "cancer is something that cannot be effectively treated".

According to the survey, people who were 65 years of age or older, of non-white race, residents of the south or who identified themselves as not having much understanding of cancer were more likely to subscribe to more of the cancer myths.

Given the advances in treatment of cancer and survival rates for the most common forms of the disease over the past three decades, Dr. Gansler says the findings are of concern.

He says the results indicate an urgent need for public and patient education intervention programs in cancer centers, medical practices and other community organizations.

The survey also found little relationship between people's own assessment of their cancer knowledge and the accuracy of their answers, except that those who thought they were poorly informed were generally right.

The researchers add that other studies have shown a patient's own cultural beliefs and understanding of cancer may influence their health behavior, including whether they are regularly screened for the disease and if they seek treatment once diagnosed.

Results of the poll, conducted for the American Cancer Society, will be published in the next issue of Cancer, the society's medical journal.