[A population based survey of attendance at screenings in urban areas]

To clarify the present situation of screenings in urban areas, a population based survey on attendance at screenings was conducted in Kitakyushu City. Self-administered mailed questionnaires were sent to three thousand randomly selected subjects 40 years of age or over living in Kitakyushu City. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Considerable differences were observed in the number of people who were offered screenings at work sites for those between the ages of 40-59 compared to those 60 years of age or over, and between full-time employees and part-time or self-employed workers. 2. Among people who obtained stomach examinations, middle age men mainly received cancer screenings at work sites, while women or older men were mainly examined when they went to clinics or hospitals when abdominal discomforts occurred. Among women who received uterine examinations, all age groups mainly received cancer screenings at city administered screenings at clinics or hospitals, and rates decreased as age increased. 3. Among people who did not obtain stomach examinations, many middle age people wanted to be examined for stomach cancer but were unable to, while older people did not think it necessary. In the case of uterine cancer screening, middle age women did not want to receive it, while older women did not think it necessary. 4. For those people who are not offered cancer screenings at workplaces, it is assumed that those who have a positive attitude toward screening will obtain it, if offered, at sites conducted by the local government.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)