Date Published: 25 June 2007
People from poor backgrounds least likely to know cancer symptoms
People from least privileged backgrounds are consistently around 20% less likely to recognise cancer symptoms than those from more affluent backgrounds ? according to a Cancer Research UK survey.
Overall men were worse than women at recognising symptoms ? except for difficulty in passing urine.
The most affluent people were almost always around 20% more likely to recognise cancer symptoms. And they were 24% more likely to know that any mole changes could be a sign of cancer than the least privileged.
More than half (51%) of the most affluent knew that unexplained pain lasting longer than four weeks could be a sign of cancer. But only just over a quarter (28%) of the least affluent recognised this as a possible symptom.
To improve awareness Cancer Research UK has produced two versions of a leaflet describing some common signs and symptoms of cancer, one for men and one for women, called Wish you knew the signs of cancer?
Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK's director of cancer information, said:
" One of the most worrying things that this survey reveals is the considerably lower level of awareness among people from less privileged backgrounds. And we know that less affluent people are at greater risk of some types of cancer. For instance smoking is more prevalent among lower income groups and is a major risk factor for at least 12 types of cancer.
_ This inability to recognise what might be a sign of cancer among more socio-economically deprived groups highlights what can be seen as a 'great divide' among cancer patients in our society."
The survey, commissioned as part of Cancer Research UK's Reduce the Risk campaign, questioned around 4,300 people throughout the country.
Most people failed to recognise that the following symptoms could be cancer:
- a cough, croaky voice or difficulty swallowing
- a sore that will not heal
- a change to looser or more frequent bowel motions
- bleeding from the vagina after the menopause or between periods
- unexplained pain lasting longer than four weeks
- difficulty passing urine
But the majority of those questioned did recognise these could be symptoms of cancer:
- a new or unusual lump or swelling
- a change in a mole
- blood in urine or bowel motions
- unexplained weight loss
Dr Walker added:
" We know that cancer survival among the less affluent members of society is not as good as among the more privileged. And because survival so often depends on catching cancer early it is vital that people know the signs and symptoms of the disease."
Source: Cancer Research UK.
