Changing college students' lifestyles in favor of cancer prevention: a case study

This article describes a case study in the examination of cancer risk reduction behavioral strategies chosen by 272 college students enrolled in the 1987 "How to Avoid Dying from Cancer ... Now and Later" course. The four most commonly selected cancers chosen by these students--breast, colon/colorectal, skin, and lung cancer--and the corresponding self-reported success of the various strategies are reported. The three most successful strategies were breast self-examination, use of sunscreen lotions, and increased awareness of breast cancer. We concluded that the potential of using behavioral self-contracts to induce lifestyle change in favor of cancer prevention is both cost-effective and practical.