From sweeteners to cell phones-Cancer myths and beliefs among journalism undergraduates

Differences in Colorectal Cancer Awareness Between Vegetarians and Nonvegetarians: A National Cross-Sectional Study From Palestine

PURPOSE

To compare colorectal cancer (CRC) awareness between vegetarians and nonvegetarians in Palestine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The validated Bowel Cancer Awareness Measure and Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale were translated into Arabic and used to assess awareness of CRC signs/symptoms, risk factors, and mythical causes. The total awareness score of each domain was calculated and categorized into tertiles; the top tertile was considered as good awareness. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between being a vegetarian and displaying good awareness in each domain.

RESULTS

This study included 4,623 participants: 560 vegetarians (12.1%) and 4,063 nonvegetarians (87.9%). Lump in the abdomen was the most recognized CRC sign/symptom among both nonvegetarians (n = 2,969, 73.1%) and vegetarians (n = 452, 80.7%). Vegetarians were less likely than nonvegetarians to display good awareness of CRC signs/symptoms (odds ratio, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.48 to 0.72]). Lack of physical activity was the most identified modifiable CRC risk factor in both nonvegetarians (n = 3,368, 82.9%) and vegetarians (n = 478, 85.4%). Similarly, having a bowel disease was the most identified nonmodifiable risk factor among both nonvegetarians (n = 2,889, 71.1%) and vegetarians (n = 431, 77.0%). There were no associated differences between both groups in the awareness levels of CRC risk factors. The most recognized food-related CRC causation myth in nonvegetarians was drinking from plastic bottles (n = 1,023, 25.2%), whereas it was eating burnt food in vegetarians (n = 176, 31.4%). Having a physical trauma was the most recognized food-unrelated myth in both nonvegetarians (n = 2,356, 58.0%) and vegetarians (n = 396, 70.7%). There were no associated differences in the awareness of CRC causation myths between both groups.

CONCLUSION

Awareness of CRC was notably low in both Palestinian vegetarians and nonvegetarians. Particularly, vegetarians demonstrated lower awareness of CRC signs and symptoms.

Myths and Common Misbeliefs About Colorectal Cancer Causation in Palestine: A National Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE

To explore public awareness of myths around colorectal cancer (CRC) causation in Palestine and to examine factors associated with good awareness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Convenience sampling was used to recruit adult Palestinians from governmental hospitals, primary health care centers, and public spaces. Recognizing 13 myths around CRC causation was assessed using a translated-into-Arabic version of the Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale. Awareness level was determined based on the number of CRC mythical causes recognized: poor (0-4), fair (5-9), and good (10-13). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between sociodemographic characteristics and displaying good awareness. It adjusted for age group, sex, education, occupation, monthly income, residence, marital status, having chronic diseases, being a vegetarian, knowing someone with cancer, and site of data collection.

RESULTS

Of 5,254 participants approached, 4,877 agreed to participate (response rate, 92.3%). A total of 4,623 questionnaires were included in the final analysis: 2,700 from the West Bank and Jerusalem (WBJ) and 1,923 from the Gaza Strip. Only 219 participants (4.7%) demonstrated good awareness of myths around CRC causation. WBJ participants were twice more likely than those from the Gaza Strip to display good recognition (5.9% v 3.1%). Male sex, living in the WBJ, and visiting hospitals were all associated with an increase in the likelihood of displaying good awareness. Conversely, knowing someone with cancer was associated with a decrease in the likelihood of displaying good awareness. Having a physical trauma was the most recognized CRC causation myth (n = 2,752, 59.5%), whereas eating food containing additives was the least (n = 456, 9.8%).

CONCLUSION

Only 4.7% displayed good ability to recognize myths around CRC causation. Future educational interventions are needed to help the public distinguish the evidence-based versus mythical causes of CRC.

Assessing the Prevalent Myths and Misconceptions Among Caregivers of Patients With Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Certain popular ideas about how cancer starts and spreads, though scientifically wrong, can seem to make sense, especially when those ideas are rooted in old theories. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of myths and misconceptions among caregivers of patients with cancer. Materials and methods A hospital-based survey in a tertiary teaching hospital in a sub-Himalayan region of North India was conducted where caregivers (aged 18-70 years) were administered questionaries containing 10 close-ended questions. The study was conducted in small batches of 20-25 participants. The questionnaire was analyzed, and a healthcare worker discussed it with the participants and clarified their myths. Results A total of 400 participants were included in the study. The median age of the participants was 45 years (IQR 35-59). The majority of the participants were males (85%, n=340). The prevalent myths among the caregivers were the following: (a) cancer is always very painful (45.5%), (b) the cause of cancers is some sin/harm done to others (26%), (c) cancer results from some form of injuries (22.8%), and (d) cancer spreads from one person to another (20.8%). Over 90% of the participants (347/378) informed that post-survey counselling was effective in ameliorating their myths. Conclusion The present study highlights the widespread cancer myths and misconceptions among the caregivers of patients with cancer. Therefore, the need of the hour is to eliminate them to avoid any unnecessary treatment delays and strengthen the emotional and social support system for patients with cancer.

Common myths and misconceptions about breast cancer causation among Palestinian women: a national cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The discussion about breast cancer (BC) causation continues to be surrounded by a number of myths and misbeliefs. If efforts are misdirected towards reducing risk from false mythical causes, individuals might be less likely to consider and adopt risk-reducing behaviors for evidence-based BC causes. This national study aimed to assess the awareness of BC causation myths and misbeliefs among Palestinian women, and examine the factors associated with having good awareness.

METHODS

This national cross-sectional study recruited adult women from government hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces in 11 governorates in Palestine. A modified version of the Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale was used to collect data. The level of awareness of BC causation myths was determined based on the number of myths recognized to be incorrect: poor (0-5), fair (6-10), or good (11-15).

RESULTS

A total of 5,257 questionnaires were included. Only 269 participants (5.1%) demonstrated good awareness (i.e., recognizing more than 10 out of 15 BC mythical causes). There were no notable differences in displaying good awareness between the main areas of Palestine, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and Jerusalem (5.1% vs. 5.1%). Having chronic disease as well as visiting hospitals and primary healthcare centers were associated with a decrease in the likelihood of displaying good awareness. Myths related to food were less frequently recognized as incorrect than food-unrelated myths. 'Eating burnt food' was the most recognized food-related myth (n = 1414, 26.9%), while 'eating food containing additives' was the least recognized (n = 599, 11.4%). 'Having a physical trauma' was the most recognized food-unrelated myth (n = 2795, 53.2%), whereas the least recognized was 'wearing tight bra' (n = 1018, 19.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

A very small proportion of Palestinian women could recognize 10 or more myths around BC causation. There is a substantial need to include clear information about BC causation in future educational interventions besides focusing on BC screening, signs and symptoms, and risk factors.

Myths and Misconceptions Around Lung Cancer Causation in Palestine: Is It Time to Intervene?

PURPOSE

Having an accurate knowledge of what truly increases the likelihood of developing lung cancer (LC) may help people make better decisions about lifestyle changes that could potentially lower their risk. This study assessed current beliefs in LC causation myths among Palestinians and explored factors associated with displaying good recognition of such myths.

METHODS

A national cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to March 2020. A modified version of the Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale was used for data collection. The awareness level of LC causation myths was determined based on the number of myths recognized to be incorrect: poor (0-4), fair (5-9), and good (10-13).

RESULTS

A total of 4,817 participants completed the questionnaire of 5,174 approached (response rate = 93.1%). In total, 4,762 participants were included in the final analysis. Myths unrelated to food were more commonly recognized than food-related myths. The food-related myth most frequently recognized was eating burnt food (n = 1,427; 30.0%) followed by drinking from plastic bottles (n = 1,389; 29.2%). The food-related myth least commonly recognized was eating food containing additives (n = 737; 15.5%). The most frequently recognized myth unrelated to food was having a physical trauma (n = 2,903; 61%), whereas the least was using cleaning products (n = 1,140; 23.9%). Only 287 participants (6%) displayed good awareness. Having a chronic disease and knowing someone with cancer were associated with a decrease in the likelihood of displaying good awareness. Conversely, participants who were smoking cigarettes/shisha and those recruited from hospitals had an associated increase in the likelihood of displaying good awareness.

CONCLUSION

This study found very poor awareness of LC causation myths, with only 6% recognizing ≥10 myths. Initiatives addressing LC mythical causes are needed.