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Belief in fake causes of cancer appears widespread
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The general population demonstrated poor knowledge of actual and mythical causes of cancer, according to survey results conducted in England and published in European Journal of Cancer.
“It’s worrying to see so many people endorse risk factors for which there is no convincing evidence,” Samuel Smith, BSc, MSc, PhD, university academic fellow at Leeds Institute of Health Sciences in the U.K., said in a press release. “Compared [with] past research, it appears the number of people believing in unproven causes of cancer has increased since the start of the century, which could be a result of changes to how we access news and information through the internet and social media. It’s vital to improve public education about the causes of cancer if we want to help people make informed decisions about their lives and ensure they aren’t worrying unnecessarily.”
The researchers conducted a survey of a nationally representative sample of the English population (n = 1,330). The survey included validated measures of participants’ beliefs about both real and false causes of cancer, as well as risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and being overweight.
In general, participants provided a correct response to a higher proportion of actual cancer causes compared with mythical causes (52% for real causes; 95% CI, 51-54 vs. 36% for mythical causes; 95% CI, 34-37).
However, 43% (95% CI, 40-45) believed that stress was a cause of cancer, and 42% (95% CI, 39-44) believed food additives caused cancer. More than a third (35%; 95% CI, 33-38) believed that electromagnetic frequencies caused of cancer, and another 34% (95% CI, 31-36) incorrectly endorsed genetically modified food as a cause. Nineteen percent (95% CI, 17-21) believed microwave ovens caused cancer, and 15% (95% CI, 13-17) believed plastic bottles caused cancer.
The vast majority (88%; 95% CI, 86-90) of participants correctly responded that smoking was a proven cause of cancer, along with secondhand smoke (80%; 95% CI, 78-82).
Just 30% of respondents correctly identified HPV (95% CI, 28-33) and low fruit and vegetable consumption (95% CI, 27-32) as causes of cancer.
Greater awareness of both actual and mythical causes of cancer appeared associated with being white, male and younger, as well as having higher education and sociodemographic status. Also, whereas an awareness of real — but not mythical — cancer causes was associated with sufficient fruit and vegetable intake, as well as nonsmoking.
“The pattern of associations between sociodemographic groups and awareness of actual and mythical risk factors was inconsistent but should continue to be monitored to ensure inequalities in cancer knowledge are not widening,” the researchers wrote. “Engagement in health-protective behaviors is associated with accurate beliefs about actual cancer causes but shows no association with endorsement of mythical causes.” – by Andy Polhamus
Disclosures: Smith reports no relevant financial disclosures. One author reports honoraria, research grants and travel expenses from Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer, as well as research support from the U.K. government, the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training, and charitable sources.
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