Table 2 Knowledge about each cancer sign/ symptom and risk factor (prompted and unprompted awareness)
Yes (n) prompted | % | Yes (n) unprompted | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Signs and symptoms | ||||
Unexplained lump or swelling | 1412 | 74.5 | 67 | 3.5 |
Persistent unexplained pain | 1210 | 63.9 | 59 | 3.1 |
Unexplained bleeding | 1242 | 65.5 | 21 | 1.1 |
A persistent cough or hoarseness | 1049 | 55.4 | 14 | 0.7 |
A change in bowel or bladder habits | 953 | 50.3 | 9 | 0.5 |
A persistent difficulty swallowing | 873 | 46.1 | 0 | 0 |
A change in appearance of a mole | 847 | 44.7 | 0 | 0 |
A sore that does not heal | 873 | 46.1 | 5 | 0.3 |
Unexplained night sweats | 500 | 26.4 | 0 | 0 |
Unexplained weight loss | 1090 | 57.5 | 50 | 2.6 |
Unexplained tiredness | 890 | 47 | 62 | 3.3 |
Risk factors | ||||
Smoking | 1681 | 88.7 | – | – |
Exposure to another person’s smoke | 1644 | 86.8 | – | – |
Drinking more than 1 unit of alcohol a day | 1149 | 60.6 | – | – |
Eating less than 5 portions of fruits and vegetables a day | 994 | 52.5 | – | – |
Eating red or processed meat once a day or more | 1099 | 58 | – | – |
Being obese | 1080 | 57 | – | – |
Getting sunburnt more than once as a child | 765 | 40.4 | – | – |
Being over 70 years old | 801 | 42.3 | – | – |
Having a close relative with cancer | 1245 | 65.7 | – | – |
Infection with Human Papillomavirus | 1001 | 52.8 | – | – |
Not doing much physical activity | 1125 | 59.4 | – | – |
Exposure to radiation such as radioactive materials, x-rays or radon | 1547 | 81.6 | – | – |