Knowledge and attitude towards cancer: the need for health education

This study attempts to record the status of knowledge, ideas and opinions of a group of enlightened urban people of Kolkata about different aspects of cancer. Information gathered from 727 persons (341 males and 386 females) showed that most of the subjects consider cancer as the most alarming disease and pain as its most distressing problem. More than half of them think that cancer is curable in only 25% cases and 72% think it is 'sometimes' preventable. The commonest site of cancer, according to 38% of them, is stomach whereas that in female, according to 52% is uterus. Most of them are well aware about the risk of repeated x-ray exposures, smoke and dust but not about oral contraceptives. Majority (92%) opined in favour of a cancer specialist for consultation and more than 98% think that cancer, once diagnosed, must be treated, preferably with radiotherapy (45%), against surgery (29%) and anti-cancer chemotherapy (24%). Early detection was emphasised by 78% for increasing cure rate. Shyness was thought by the majority to be the chief cause of delay in seeking treatment in case of breast cancer cases. As health education media television and cinema slides were considered to be most effective. Most of the subjects advocated for psychological (47%) or medical (34%) support in the terminal stages of cancer.