Cancer screening in a middle-aged general population: factors associated with practices and attitudes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with cancer screening practices and with general attitudes toward cancer screening in a general population.

Methods

Mailed survey of 30-60 year old residents of Geneva, Switzerland, that included questions about screening for five cancers (breast, cervix uteri, prostate, colon, skin) in the past 3 years, attitudes toward screening, health care use, preventive behaviours and socio-demographic characteristics. Cancer screening practice was dichotomised as having done at least one screening test in the past 3 years versus none.

Results

The survey response rate was 49.3% (2301/4670). More women than men had had at least one cancer screening test in the past 3 years (83.2% vs 34.5%, p < 0.001). A majority

SUBMITTER: Cullati S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2685378 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature