Nine in 10 people think that cancer screening is 'almost always a good idea' despite the fact that screening uptake is lower, a Cancer Research UK study* in the British Journal of Cancer shows.
The researchers, from Cancer Research UK's Health Behaviour Research Centre at University College London (UCL), interviewed almost 1,900 people aged 50-80 years old about their views on cancer screening.
They found that people in the UK are overwhelmingly positive about cancer screening, with half of all people (49 per cent) saying that they would even want to be tested for a cancer if it was incurable.
Three in five people (59 per cent) also deemed it irresponsible to not take part in cancer screening.
But people were much less knowledgeable about the risks of screening. Half (49 per cent) were unaware that some cancers are slow-growing and unlikely to cause any problems during the person's lifetime.
Screening - especially breast screening - can pick up these cancers leading to people being treated unnecessarily as well as enduring the shock of being diagnosed with cancer even though it would never have harmed them. Despite this 45 per cent of those asked said they would want to be screened for these cancers.
The researchers highlighted the difficulties this causes in helping people understand the balance of risks and benefits, and promoting informed decision making about cancer screening.
In the UK there are national screening programmes for cervical, breast and bowel cancer**. In England, 58 per cent of people take up bowel screening, 78 per cent take up cervical screening, and 77 per cent take up breast screening.
Lead researcher Dr Jo Waller, said: "It's great that people are enthusiastic about cancer screening, and if people are keen to be screened, we need to minimise any barriers. But it's also important to remember that taking part in screening is an individual choice, and if someone decides that screening is not for them after considering the benefits and harms then that choice should be respected."
Dr Julie Sharp, Cancer Research UK's head of health information, said: "This research shows that people feel positive about screening for cancer. But it's vital that the benefits and harms of screening options are clearly explained to people, so they can make a fully informed choice."
In the lead up to this year's General Election Cancer Research UK is calling on candidates from all parties to back measures to improve early diagnosis of cancer in our Cross Cancer Out campaign. The Government should ensure accurate information is provided on the risks and benefits of all cancer screening to help people make informed decisions alongside specific efforts to increase the low uptake of bowel screening.
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For media enquiries contact Emily Head from the Cancer Research UK press office on 020 3469 6189 or, out of hours, on 07050 264 059.
Notes to editor
* Waller et al. Enthusiasm for cancer screening in Great Britain: a general population survey. British Journal of Cancer. DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.643
** The breast cancer screening programme in England is currently extending the age range from 50 to 70 to include women from 47 to 73 years old. Currently, women older than the age range can request a mammogram.
The cervical cancer screening programme in England, Northern Ireland and Wales invites women from ages 25 to 64 for cervical screening. Women aged 25 to 49 are invited every 3 years. After that, women are invited every 5 years until the age of 64. In Scotland, women aged 20 to 60 are invited for screening every 3 years. But in 2016, this will change to follow the same screening schedule as England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The bowel cancer screening programme in England invites men and women aged between 60 and 69 years old to take part, and this is being extended to include people up to the age of 74. Currently, people older than the age range can request a screening kit. In Wales and Northern Ireland the programme covers men and women aged between 60 and 74. In Scotland the programme screens people aged between 50 and 74 years.
About the British Journal of Cancer (BJC)
The BJC is owned by Cancer Research UK. Its mission is to encourage communication of the very best cancer research from laboratories and clinics in all countries. Broad coverage, its editorial independence and consistent high standards have made BJC one of the world's premier general cancer journals. http://www.bjcancer.com
About Cancer Research UK
- Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research.
- Cancer Research UK's pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
- Cancer Research UK receives no government funding for its life-saving research. Every step it makes towards beating cancer relies on every pound donated.
- Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates in the UK double in the last forty years.
- Today, 2 in 4 people survive cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK's ambition is to accelerate progress so that 3 in 4 people will survive cancer within the next 20 years.
- Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
- Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit http://www.cancerresearchuk.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
For more information on the Cross Cancer Out campaign, and ways the public can get involved, visit cruk.org/crosscancerout and join the conversation on twitter using #CrossCancerOut.
Journal
British Journal of Cancer