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Survey reveals "worrying" ignorance about cancer screening

27/02/2008

Less than a fifth of people are aware of all the cancers that the NHS screens for, a new survey has revealed today.

The health service currently screens for breast, cervical and bowel cancer to increase early detection and survival chances.

But a poll for Cancer Research UK found that of more than 4,150 people, only 16 per cent could correctly identify these three cancers.

Knowledge of bowel cancer screening was the lowest, with just a quarter of people being aware of the programme.

Ninety four per cent of women questioned said they were aware of the breast cancer screening programme while less than 60 per cent of women knew about cervical screening.

Professor Stephen Duffy, Cancer Research UK's professor of screening, said the screening ignorance could be due to a number of factors.

"Lack of knowledge of the bowel cancer screening programme may be because the programme only recently began and is not yet available across the UK," he added.

"There may be confusion that what is commonly called a smear test is a cervical screening test to detect abnormal cells before they become cancerous.

"Whatever the reasons may be, more work needs to be done to improve the awareness and understanding of cancer screening across the UK."

Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK's director of health information, said: "Cancer screening saves lives but we know it could save even more.

"Screening is vital in detecting cancer early and also preventing it. These results highlight a worrying lack of awareness about what cancers are screened for."

She added: "Our concern is that this confusion may mean that some people may not take up their invitation to take part in cancer screening. We urge everyone to go for screening when invited – it could save your life."