Do older people perceive cancer prevention and early detection to be worthwhile? Implications for prevention
Irene Ngune A B * , Peter Howat A B C E * , Bruce Maycock A B C * and Terry Slevin A D *A Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer Control, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.
B Western Australian Centre for Health Promotion Research, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
C National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
D The Cancer Council of Western Australia, 46 Ventnor Avenue, West Perth, WA 6005, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: p.howat@curtin.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 15(2) 139-145 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY09004
Published: 5 June 2009
Abstract
Despite evidence that suggests modifying risk factors at any age can reduce the risk of cancer, many older people fail to take relevant preventive actions. The objectives of the project were to assess whether older people perceived taking actions to prevent cancers as worthwhile after the age of 60 years. Fifty men (19) and women (31) 60 years and older (mean age 68 years) participated in seven focus groups to assess their perceptions of preventive health actions and barriers and motivators in relation to cancer prevention. Most participants reported not adhering to preventive actions for cancer. Many did not perceive the benefits if the actions are initiated after the age of 60 years, and some risk factors were not perceived to be related to cancer. There was strong agreement that screening for cancer was worthwhile after the age of 60 years. It appears that awareness programs specifically tailored to seniors may be desirable to promote cancer prevention within a context of chronic disease prevention in general.
Additional keywords: cancer risk factors, health promotion, seniors.
Acknowledgements
We appreciate the support of the Positive Aging Foundation of Western Australia and the Centre for Research on Ageing at Curtin University for helping recruit the participants.
Breslow R,
Sorkin J, Frey L , et al.
(1997) Americans’ knowledge of cancer risk and survival. Preventive Medicine 26, 170–177.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
CAS |
Briganti M,
Shaw E, Zimmet Z , et al.
(2003) Untreated hypertension among Australian adults: the 1999–2000 Australian diabetes, obesity and lifestyle study (AusDiab). The Medical Journal of Australia 179(3), 135–149.
| PubMed |
Chernoff R
(2001) Nutrition and health promotion in older adults. Journal of Gerontology 56A, 47–53.
Donovan R,
Carter O, Jalleh G , et al.
(2004) Changes in beliefs about cancer in Western Australia, 1964–2001. The Medical Journal of Australia 181(1), 23–25.
| PubMed |
Eiser J,
Pendry L, Greaves C , et al.
(2000) Is targeted early detection for melanoma feasible? Self assessment of risk and attitudes to screening. Journal of Medical Screening 7(4), 199–202.
| PubMed |
CAS |
Fillmore KM,
Chikritzhs T,
Stockwell T,
Bostrom A, Pascal R
(2009) Alcohol use and prostate cancer: a meta-analysis. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research 53, 240–255.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
CAS |
Fox S, Stein J
(1991) The effect of physician–patient communication on mammography utilization by different ethnic groups. Medical Care 29, 1065–1082.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
CAS |
Gill T,
Baker D, Gotschalk P , et al.
(2002) A program to prevent functional decline in physically frail, elderly persons who live at home. The New England Journal of Medicine 347, 1068–1074.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Godin G, Shephard J
(1990) Use of attitude–behavior models in exercise promotion. Sports Medicine 10, 103–121.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
CAS |
Goldberg T, Chavin S
(1997) Preventive medicine and screening in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 45, 344–354.
| PubMed |
CAS |
Macera C
(2003) Major public health benefits of physical activity. Arthritis and Rheumatism 49(1), 122–128.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Miller A, Iris M
(2002) Health promotion attitudes and strategies in older adults. Health Education & Behavior 29(2), 249–267.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Parry O,
Thomson C, Fawkes F
(2001) Dependent behaviors and beliefs: a qualitative study of older long-term smokers with arterial disease. Addiction 96, 1337–1347.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
CAS |
Poole M
(2000) Fit for life: older women’s commitment to exercise. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity 19, 300–312.
Rothenbacher D,
Lutz M, Polzsolt F
(1997) Treatment decisions in palliative cancer care: patient’s preferences for involvement and doctors’ knowledge about it. European Journal of Cancer 33, 1184–1189.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
CAS |
Sim J
(1998) Collecting and analysing qualitative data: issues raised by the focus group. Journal of Advanced Nursing 28(2), 345–352.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
CAS |
PubMed |
Skuladottir H,
Tjoenneland A, Overland K , et al.
(2006) Does high intake of fruit and vegetables improve lung cancer survival? Lung Cancer 51(3), 267–273.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Taylor D,
Hasselblad V, Henley S , et al.
(2002) Benefits of smoking cessation for longevity. American Journal of Public Health 92, 990–996.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Vernon S
(1997) Participation in colorectal cancer screening: a review. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 89, 1406–1422.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
CAS |
Vogt M,
Mullooly P, Ernst D , et al.
(1992) Social networks as predictors of ischemic heart disease, cancer, stroke, hypertension-incidence, survival and mortality. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 45, 659–666.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
CAS |
Wilcox S, Stefanick M
(1999) Knowledge and perceived risk of major diseases in middle-aged and older women. Health Psychology 18, 346–353.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
CAS |
Yong H,
Borland R, Siapush M
(2005) Quitting-related beliefs, intentions, and motivations of older smokers in four countries: findings from the international tobacco control policy evaluation survey. Addictive Behaviors 30, 777–788.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Zulkowski K
(2000) Examining the nutritional status of independently living elderly adults. Ostomy/Wound Management 46, 56–60.
| PubMed |
CAS |
Zulkowski K,
Burton L, Shapiro S
(1999) Determinants of physical activity initiation and maintenance among community-dwelling older persons. Preventive Medicine 28, 422–430.
* These authors contributed equally to this work.
