1700MO - Knowledge of cancer risk factors and risk-reduction in 20 high- and middle-income countries

Background

The incidence of preventable cancers especially among adults younger than age 50 years in high-income countries (HIC) is increasing. This underscores the significance of disseminating prevention recommendations as it raises concerns about risk modification by individuals and individuals' knowledge of cancer risk factors that enable primary prevention. We explored relations between risk-reduction behavior and self-perceived knowledge of cancer risk factors in 20 countries using data from the International Public Opinion Survey on Cancer 2020.

Methods

We focused on selected risk factors in the survey which had a total sample of 15,427 adults and fit an ANCOVA model to evaluate the effect of knowledge, as well as its interaction with country and risk factor on risk reduction behavior engagement. Non-response options were graphically inspected.

Results

Every unit increase in the proportion of the population knowledgeable about a cancer risk factor, on average across risk factors and countries, significantly increases the proportion of people engaging in risk reduction by approximately 16.91% (95% CI 1.77 % to 32.05 %; p=0.029) in 10 HIC, and 32.94% (95% CI 16.22 to 49.66; p<0.001) in 10 middle-income countries (MIC), respectively. A significant interaction effect was found between knowledge and country, but not between knowledge and risk factor. France showed an estimated decreased engagement in overall risk-reduction activity of about 27.73% (95% CI -46.05, -9.42; p<0.001) compared to the overall average. Risk factors such as sugary drinks, and red and processed meat show a steeper positive linear relationship with risk reduction compared to alcohol and excess weight in HIC and MIC.

Conclusions

Knowledge of cancer risk factors is positively associated with risk reduction in HIC and MIC. Improved dissemination of cancer prevention recommendations including the European Code Against Cancer, World Cancer Research Fund and national clinical recommendations is crucial to address potential gaps in or inadequate knowledge of cancer risk factors in the population.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

P. Carrera.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.