Cancer prevention in Germany: awareness, beliefs, and information-seeking behaviors in a population-based survey

At least 40% of cancer cases could be prevented by lifestyle changes. However, despite clear recommendations, public awareness of modifiable cancer risk factors remains limited and misconceptions about cancer causes further impede prevention efforts. Understanding knowledge of preventable factors, myths, and information sources is essential for effective cancer prevention.

To address this, a total of 1,232 residents of Stuttgart, Germany (53.2% female; M_age  = 41.1; SD = 14.3) participated in the CLARO study (January-May 2025). A cross-sectional online survey assessed participants' knowledge of cancer risk factors and myths, cancer information overload, and sources of prevention information.

Smoking (98.5%) and sunburn (95.1%) were widely recognized as cancer risk factors, whereas high salt intake (28.1%) and prolonged sitting (29.2%) were less acknowledged. Most cancer myths went unrecognized, except physical trauma (76.9%). Higher levels of cancer risk factor knowledge were linked to higher education (middle vs. high: β = -0.069, p = 0.022; low vs. high: β = -0.053, p = 0.048), prior cancer prevention information retrieval (β = 0.186, p < 0.001), and less cancer information overload (β = -0.235, p < 0.001).

Persistent knowledge gaps and misconceptions highlight the need to promote access to trusted, expert-reviewed information sources.