Children's Knowledge of Cancer Prevention and Perceptions of Cancer Patients: Comparison Before and After Cancer Education with the Presence of Visiting Lecturer -Guided Class

Exploring the Correlation Between Health Literacy and Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Radiotherapy Among Japanese Women: A Web-Based Survey

Health literacy (HL) plays a vital role in an individual's ability to make informed health decisions. Japan faces several challenges in cervical cancer control, including low human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening rates, underutilization of radiotherapy, and limited HL. This study explored the association between HL and knowledge of cervical cancer and radiotherapy, particularly among young Japanese women. We conducted a web-based survey among users of LunaLuna, a popular women's healthcare application, to assess their HL and knowledge about cervical cancer and radiotherapy through a 46-question survey. We compared three groups in terms of HL (inadequate, problematic, and sufficient & excellent). Multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with knowledge. In total, 1468 respondents were included in this study. HL was positively correlated with knowledge scores (inadequate: 51.8%; problematic: 56.3%; sufficient & excellent: 60%). Participants displayed relatively low accuracy for treatment-related questions. Higher HL (β = 0.15, p < 0.01), education (β =  - 0.11, p < 0.01), cervical cancer screening (β =  - 0.11, p < 0.01), income (β = 0.09, p < 0.01), and employment (β =  - 0.06, p = 0.04) were significant factors affecting knowledge of cervical cancer and radiotherapy. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of HL in promoting cervical cancer prevention and providing a better understanding of radiotherapy. Despite factors such as age, education, and history of cervical cancer screening, HL showed the strongest association with knowledge of cervical cancer and radiotherapy. The enhancement of HL and knowledge dissemination may be critical for promoting cervical cancer prevention and radiotherapy in Japan.

Comparing health literacy and behavioral changes in adulthood: A pilot study on alumni of a single school cancer education program

Cancer education programs are regularly conducted in schools in Japan. Previous reports on their effectiveness were based on surveys conducted several months after the education. We aimed to evaluate whether cancer education for children influenced their behavioral changes in adulthood. We targeted schools where the Japan Cancer Society has conducted the programs since 2011 and the program participants are older than 21 years currently. Invitations were sent to the participants and controls who graduated one year before or after the participants, and answers were obtained using an online questionnaire. Data were collected on the willingness to undergo cancer screening, sociodemographic characteristics, healthy behaviors, and health literacy. We compared the data from the program participants with those from controls. We requested cooperation from 13 schools; however, only one agreed. The common reason for refusal was privacy concerns. In the all-boys participating school in Tokyo, there was no significant difference in background information between the cancer education (38 participants) and control (55 participants) groups. Multiple linear regression showed that healthcare or welfare education background (β = 0.25, p = 0.01) and health literacy (β = 0.24, p = 0.02) were significant predictors of cancer screening intention, while the presence of cancer education (p = 0.25) was not. Despite severe selection bias, this is the first study to examine the long-term impacts of cancer education. We found no significant impacts on the measured outcome. However, the educational content at that time differed from that of today, and the program's efficacy should not be negated.

Process of developing a cervical cancer education program for female university students in a Health and Physical Education teacher training course: an action research

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to develop a cervical cancer education program for students and evaluate the process for female students of an HPE teacher education university who were training to become Japanese Health and Physical Education teachers.

METHODS

This study used Action Research (AR) methodology. In developing program, we analyzed the description of the teaching material development process, the lectures, and the students' report contents, which was the main activity in the program development. Thirty five third- and fourth-year students majoring in health promotion at a Health and Physical Education teacher education university, which trains Health and Physical Education teachers in Tokyo, Japan, participated in this study.

RESULTS

After a review of the prototype version of the cervical cancer education material, six out of nine reviewers determined that it can be published. In the revised cervical cancer education materials, messages from students, university lecturers, and gynecologists have been added as a column in the section on 'how to prevent cervical cancer. Analysis of the contents of the texts (16,792 characters in total) of 35 student reports resulted in the generation of 51 codes, 3 categories, and 15 subcategories.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reflects the intentions of female university students to contribute their knowledge to the development of educational materials on cervical cancer, which, alongside the lectures, have deepened the knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer. Based on this, the teaching material development process, lectures by experts, and students' mindset after learning about cervical cancer is reported in this study. There is a need for more educational programs on cervical cancer that are implemented through the education of female university students.

Exploring Youth Perceptions About Cancer Prevention and Preferences for Education: a Qualitative Study

This study aimed to characterize adolescents' perspectives on cancer and cancer prevention and to explore their preferences for cancer education. A total of 188 middle and high school students participated in 25 focus groups. Focus groups were led by study team members and included five to ten participants each. Adolescents were asked to discuss their cancer and cancer prevention knowledge, sources of cancer education, and preferences for cancer prevention education. Focus groups were audio-recorded, and professionally transcribed. Transcripts were content and thematically analyzed by two study team members using NVivo qualitative data software. Six themes were identified in focus groups: knowledge about cancer, negative perceptions of cancer, awareness of cancer prevention, engagement in cancer prevention, facilitators and barriers for action, and preferences for cancer education. Adolescents described a wide range of cancer education sources, including friends, family, healthcare professionals, school, technology, and pamphlets. Participants associated cancer with negative emotions, such as sadness and fear. Participants expressed interest in learning about cancer and cancer prevention, but also identified barriers to engaging in preventative behaviors, such as discomfort, lack of knowledge, and lack of personal connection to cancer. Adolescents preferred learning through personal presentations, online videos, school, educational games, and social situations. Adolescence is a critical period for learning and developing healthy behaviors. Awareness of cancer and cancer prevention is crucial to lowering cancer risk in the future. To be effective, cancer education for adolescents should target specific areas of cancer prevention and address barriers to engagement in preventative behaviors.

The Effect of a Learning Partner Model-Based Program on Spreading Cancer Prevention Knowledge Using Community Health Volunteers in Japan

Objectives:

This study examines the implementation and short-term effects of a Learning Partner Model (LPM)-based educational program on cancer prevention and control information for community health volunteers in Japan.

Methods:

The program was undertaken by 3 local governments in collaboration with a government initiative and offered a 90-min group workshop to community health volunteers. Community health volunteers (primary participants) recruited in turn friend or family members (secondary participants) with whom they were prepared to share the content of the workshop with the help of printed materials received in the workshop. We conducted self-administered paper and pencil questionnaire surveys before, immediately after, and 3 months after the workshop. The t-test, Fisher’s exact test, paired t-test, and McNemar test were used to compare the 2 groups’ demographic characteristics and healthy habits at pretest. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare cancer prevention knowledge between groups and over time.

Results:

Of 142 participants, 107 pairs of learning partners (primary and corresponding secondary participant) completed all questionnaires. All primary participants and 37.4% of the secondary participants were women, and 57.9% of the learning partners were spouses. The results showed significantly higher correct answers on the cancer-prevention knowledge questions in the post-workshop and follow-up surveys compared to the pre-workshop survey (P < .001). The increase in knowledge was observed in all learning-partner groups in all 3 sites.

Conclusion:

The study demonstrates a promising strategy that can be adapted to the health needs of the community beyond cancer prevention and control, building on the efforts of local governments and government health initiatives.

Who Is Scared of a Needle? An Exploration of Italian Children's Knowledge and Perceptions About the HPV Vaccine

Receiving the HPV vaccine at a young age before being exposed to the virus is essential to improve HPV-related cancer prevention. In many countries in the world, like Italy, the HPV vaccine is offered free of charges to boys and girls aged 12-14. Despite this incentive, the HPV vaccine uptake in Italy remains low. Several interventions and campaigns have been implemented to educate parents and providers. However, children of 12-14 years old have been left out by prevention and education efforts. This study explored middle school children's knowledge and perceptions of the HPV virus and vaccine with the purpose to identify gaps and misperceptions and provide recommendations to develop educational interventions. A total of nine focus groups were conducted, and discussions were analyzed along with 171 anonymous questions collected from the children. Findings included a lack of knowledge of HPV prevention guidelines, negative emotions associated with both the HPV vaccine and vaccines in general, misperceptions between prevention and care, and the desire to receive specific information.

Cancer Awareness and Understanding of Students in Japan: What Do Students Having Close Relatives with Cancer Think About the Disease?

Students have become more familiar with cancer because of media, such as television or the Internet, reporting on celebrity cancer cases. Moreover, with Japan's increasing age and cancer rates, the number of students whose parents/relatives develop cancer is likely to increase. This study examined cancer awareness and understanding among students aged 10 to 16 or more. A cross-sectional nationwide survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Cancer awareness and cancer understanding were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. We collected a total of 9139 questionnaires and excluded those with missing data. Thus, we analyzed the responses of 8701 students: 2135, 2902, and 3664 from elementary, junior, and high school, respectively. Data were analyzed using a multivariable model adjusted for gender and grade. Approximately 30% of respondents had parents/relatives with cancer. In addition, there was a significant association between having parents/relatives with cancer and cancer awareness; however, students having parents/relatives with cancer had more negative awareness (i.e., "I think cancer is scary," "I think I will get cancer in the future," and "I think cancer is preventable"). Furthermore, there was a significant association between cancer understanding and awareness. These findings suggest that cancer education could have a desirable effect on students whose parents/relatives have cancer. Further, cancer education offers benefits to students who are naive about cancer and ill prepared to cope when a family member discloses a cancer diagnosis.

Adolescents' Perceptions About Cancer and Preferences for Cancer Education

BACKGROUND

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death within the United States. Adolescence remains a critical stage of development in which new cognitive skills and lifestyle factors related to cancer are acquired. It is critical to understand adolescents' knowledge of cancer and preferences for receiving clear and easy-to-comprehend information about cancer and cancer prevention. The purpose of this study was to explore adolescents' perceptions of cancer and cancer risk factors and identify their preferences for receiving cancer prevention education.

METHODS

The survey used in this study was based on the Health Belief Model framework, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, and the Cancer, Clear & Simple (CC&S) Curriculum. The survey evaluated adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, and health-related behaviors regarding cancer and cancer prevention among adolescents. Three Midwestern middle and high schools were recruited, and 235 students completed the survey. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Study participants had some basic knowledge of cancer; however, only 66% recognized that individuals have control over their risk of developing cancer. Participants (95%) reported that cancer prevention was important, yet only 37.3% stated they knew how to lower their risk of getting cancer and 50% indicated that they currently try to make decisions that lower their chances of getting cancer. About 82% stated that an educational game would be a useful tool to learn about cancer and prevention.

CONCLUSION

Study findings indicate the need for an increase in adolescent knowledge of cancer, specifically how they can control their cancer risk, and prevention strategies through development of game-based education to teach adolescents about cancer-related topics.

Cross-cultural validation of the Cancer Stigma Scale in the general Japanese population

BACKGROUND

The stigma associated with cancer has negative impacts on cancer patients as well as the general public, who have a potential risk of cancer. To the best of our knowledge, a validated measure to assess cancer stigma among the general Japanese population does not exist.

METHOD

We translated the Cancer Stigma Scale (CASS) - a 25-item self-administered scale to evaluate stigma related to cancer - into Japanese and examined its psychometric properties. The Japanese version of CASS (J-CASS) was validated among a sample of the general Japanese population through an online survey to validate its test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and concurrent validity.

RESULTS

A total of 319 responses were included in the analysis. An exploratory factor analysis eliminated two original items but showed a six-factor model (Awkwardness, Severity, Avoidance, Policy Opposition, Personal Responsibility, and Financial Discrimination), which was similar to the original scale. Cronbach's alpha for each factor was satisfactory, ranging from 0.81 to 0.91. The internal correlation coefficients were above 0.70, except for Policy Opposition. The total and subtotal scores of each factor of the J-CASS were significantly associated with respondents' age, gender, familiarity with cancer patients, and social desirability, demonstrating the scales' good concurrent validity. A substantial proportion of the participants selected "unsure" for some items of the scale, suggesting a further need for refining the scale.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

This study demonstrated that J-CASS is a reliable and valid measure for evaluating misconceptions and stigma toward cancer in the general Japanese population.