Employees' perceptions of an on-site cancer screening clinic

A 14-question survey was mailed to 355 employees examined during a 5-month period in 1989 in a nurse-administered employee cancer screening clinic at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Almost 60% of the study group (209/355) responded to the survey, which was designed to measure employees' attitudes toward the on-site clinic. Overall, respondents viewed the program very positively, and almost all of those still employed by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the time of the survey said they would return for an examination the next year. Between 52 and 80% of respondents reported increasing the practice of self-examinations for cancer. Of the quarter of the study group who identified themselves as being smokers at the time of the screening examination, 63% said they were no longer smoking. Finally, the analysis showed that having registered nurse participants present during screening did not significantly affect employees' willingness to return for an examination the next year. The survey results indicate that employees view the screening program favorably, that the education they receive affects their behavior, and that almost all have a positive attitude about returning for an examination the next year.