A Cross-sectional Investigation of Cancer-Screening Intentions, Sources of Information, and Understanding of Cancer in Japanese Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the cancer-screening intention, sources of cancer information, and cancer understanding among Japanese adolescents. A cross-sectional nationwide survey involving a self-administered questionnaire was conducted. Response rates of the target schools were 46.4 % (n = 103) for junior high schools and 55.8 % (n = 116) for high schools. From these, we analyzed the data of 2960 junior high school students (1520 males, 1440 females) and 3703 high school students (1546 males, 2157 females) to examine the association between cancer-screening intention and sources of cancer-related information and understanding. A significant association between cancer-screening intention and sources of cancer information and cancer understanding was observed. The screening intention group identified more sources of cancer information than the no-screening intention group did. Understanding about cancer was reported by a higher proportion of students in the screening intention group compared with the no-screening intention group. Recognition that healthy people must take part in cancer screening was significantly associated with screening intention in both junior high (odds ratio (OR), 1.859; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.582-2.185; P < 0.001) and high school (OR, 2.485; 95 % CI, 2.139-2.887; P < 0.001) students. Health education at school was indicated by a high proportion of students as a source of cancer-related information, although the association was not significant. The present survey indicated that those in of our sample who intended to undergo future cancer screening (67.8 %) had more sources of information and understanding regarding cancer. Thus, schools should enrich health education curricula with more information and understanding about cancer to promote cancer-screening intention among Japanese adolescents.

Comparing health literacy and behavioral changes in adulthood: A pilot study on alumni of a single school cancer education program

“…Second, in this study, the intention to undergo cancer screening in both groups was higher than expected. A previous Japanese survey, which only investigated cancer-screening intention, sources of cancer information, and level of cancer understanding among Japanese adolescents and was not linked to a cancer education program, reported that 68% of students indicated that they were willing to undergo cancer screening, in contrast to 91% in our study, although there were differences in the target age and questionnaires [20]. Moreover, health literacy levels are associated with cancer screening uptake [21].…”

Cancer Screening Rate and Related Factors in the Japanese Child-Rearing Generation

“…Kawai et al also clarified the relationship between health literacy and cervical cancer screening behavior [ 27 ]. In Japan, there are more opportunities that include cancer education in the school curriculum than before [ 34 , 35 ]. As a result, child-rearing generations may also have more opportunities to learn about cancer through their children.…”

Social Appropriation of Knowledge About Research in Prostate Cancer with Middle Education Students in Three Colombian Cities

“…The curriculum in schools should include content related to the importance of health care, because most of the sources of information about cancer are usually found in mass media, such as TV, newspapers, the internet, or even relatives with the disease, but it is an uncommon subject in school. Thus, making students aware of this disease could contribute to decrease the risk of developing cancer and, even, to prevent other illnesses [ 21 ]. To make a change in people’s attitude, it is necessary to create environments and policies that educate and motivate people to choose healthful habits, including students, who can be transmitters of knowledge and progress within their community and generate an impact on it [ 21 ].…”

“…Thus, making students aware of this disease could contribute to decrease the risk of developing cancer and, even, to prevent other illnesses [ 21 ]. To make a change in people’s attitude, it is necessary to create environments and policies that educate and motivate people to choose healthful habits, including students, who can be transmitters of knowledge and progress within their community and generate an impact on it [ 21 ].…”