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Published on: September 15, 2023
Variation in blame attributions across different cancer types
Laura A V Marlow1, Jo Waller, Jane Wardle
1Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E6BT, United Kingdom. l.marlow@ucl.ac.uk
Summary
Public health campaigns focusing on cancer prevention may inadvertently foster negative attitudes towards certain cancers. This study found that lung, bowel, and cervical cancers attract more blame than breast or leukemia, linked to perceived preventability.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Social Psychology
- Public Health Communication
Background:
- Cancer communication increasingly emphasizes prevention through lifestyle modification.
- This focus may lead to negative societal attitudes towards individuals with specific cancer types.
- Understanding public perceptions of responsibility for cancer is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess public attributions of blame for five common cancers: breast, cervical, bowel, lung, and leukemia.
- To explore the relationship between cancer preventability and perceived personal responsibility.
- To investigate demographic factors influencing blame attributions.
Main Methods:
- A population-based survey was conducted among 1,620 women.
- Participants rated blame attribution for diagnoses of breast, cervical, bowel, lung, leukemia, chlamydia, and obesity.
- Statistical analysis examined correlations between demographics, knowledge of preventability, and blame.
Main Results:
- Leukemia and breast cancer attracted minimal blame (9-15%).
- Bowel and cervical cancers received moderate blame (23-37%).
- Lung cancer (70%), chlamydia (87%), and obesity (96%) were most frequently blamed, indicating a link to perceived lifestyle factors.
Conclusions:
- While most cancers are not viewed as personal responsibility, lung, cervical, and bowel cancers do attract blame.
- Awareness of a cancer's preventable nature is associated with increased perceived responsibility.
- Further research is needed to understand the public health implications of these findings.
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