Abstract B110: Gender differences in cancer screening beliefs and behaviors: Implications for health promotion
Authors: Davis Jenna L. , Green B. Lee , Katz Ralph V. 
Published: December 2010

Introduction: This study analyzes differences in cancer screening beliefs and behaviors among men and women. Knowledge of these differences might help health professionals redirect their efforts in promotion of cancer screening participation.

Methods: The data was collected from a stratified, random-digit dial survey of non-institutionalized adults (N=1148) living in New York City, New York; Baltimore, Maryland; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The research instrument used was the Cancer Screening Questionnaire, which addressed a range of issues related to the beliefs and willingness to participate in cancer screening examinations. The variables used to assess gender differences were attitudes about how effective cancer screening is in detecting cancer; if they ever had a cancer screening in the past; and willingness to participate in a regular cancer screening if you have no symptoms. Other variables assessed were willingness to participate in a screening dependent on who conducts the screening and willingness to participate in a screening dependent on what one is asked to do during the screening. Unadjusted chi-square tests were computed to analyze gender differences among these variables.

Results: Attitudes about cancer screening effectiveness was not statistically significant (p=0.91). About the same proportions of men (68%) and women (70%) believed cancer screenings detected cancer all/most of the time. However, chi-square tests resulted in significant associations (p&lt;0.05) between gender and if they ever had a cancer screening in the past and willingness to participate in a regular cancer screening if you have no symptoms. About 57% of men had never had a cancer screening in the past compared to only 32% of women who had never had a screening. Willingness to participate in a regular cancer screening when there are no symptoms was also significant with gender. More men (40%) said they would be unlikely to participate compared to only 26% of women who would be unlikely. Most of the variables depending on who conducts the screening and what one is asked to do during the screening were not statistically significant. Participating in a cancer screening that is given by a doctor, participating when being interviewed about their smoking or alcohol habits, participating when having mouth scraped to collect cells, and participating when having skin surgically removed were the only significant variables.

Conclusions: Even though nearly the same proportion of men believed cancer screenings detected cancer all/most of the time compared to women; a significant proportion of men had never had a cancer screening nor was willing to participate in a regular cancer screening if they had no symptoms compared to women. These differences really highlight the need for better cancer screening promotion among men. There are already several fundraisers, commercials, and community awareness about women's cancer issues but there is a lack of promotion about cancer for men. Health educators, physicians, and community-based organizations should make an effort to focus on specific ways to encourage men to participate in cancer screenings.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B110.