Are the British in denial over the causes of cancer?

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

More than a quarter of Britons blame fate, rather than lack of a healthy lifestyle, for cancer.
Research has shown what a big contribution a healthy lifestyle can make to the prevention of cancer. Quitting smoking, eating lots of fruit and vegetables, keeping a healthy weight and taking regular exercise are all known as important factors in reducing cancer risk. Genes may also play a role. But what do people really believe about the causes of cancer?

The leading charity Cancer Research UK surveyed a group of 4,000 people in Britain. They found that 27 per cent believe that whether or not you succumb to cancer is a matter of fate. More women than men and more of those over 65 were more likely to blame bad luck for cancer. In deprived areas, the figure citing fate was 43 per cent, in affluent areas just 14 per cent. Smokers were more likely than non-smokers to think getting cancer is down to fate - suggesting that denial may play a role in beliefs about cancer. There is no shortage of available information on the proven causes of cancer and Cancer Research UK is keen to point out that a healthy lifestyle may prevent as many as half of all cases. There is more on their latest campaign at www.reducetherisk.org.uk

Source
Cancer Research UK 2nd January 2007

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