What types of cancer screening information are needed?

Seeking information about cancer is an important means by which individuals acquire cancer-related knowledge and know whether they should be screened for cancer. This study was performed to identify the desired types of cancer screening information and to describe patterns of information-seeking behavior.

In August 2006, a questionnaire was administered to a population of South Korean adults who ranged in age from 40 to 70 years (n = 1,676). The chi-square test, linear regression, and logistic regression were used for data analysis.

Only 7.8% of the study population reported seeking information about cancer within the previous 12 months. Respondents were more likely to seek information about cancer if they were younger than 49 years, had a post-high school education, were insured through Medicaid, perceived their health status to be fair or poor/very poor and had received prior cancer screening. The most desired information included methods of cancer screening, followed by procedures, benefits and necessity, and limits and side effects. Factors associated with the need for information were age (i.e., less than 49 years), residence (i.e., non-metropolitan), perceived health status (i.e., fair or poor/very poor), cancer family history, and prior cancer screening.

It is important to understand the characteristics of information seekers and non-seekers and to deliver cancer screening information based on individuals' needs to promote higher rates of cancer screening.