Public Awareness of Environmental Risk Factors of Cancer Among the Lebanese General Population

Kabalan, Mayssan; El-Hajj, Maya; Khachman, Dalia; Awada, Sanaa; Rachidi, Samar; Al‐Hajje, Amal; Ajrouche, Roula

doi:10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2021.62.2.1974

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…This is important context because “persistent poverty” has been associated with cancer mortality through factors such as patterns of risk behaviors, health care access, infrastructure, and social determinants of health ( Moss et al, 2020 ). Consistent with the findings of other studies, this study found a high level of public awareness of some evidence-based associations between cancer and lifestyle factors, such as tobacco use ( Kabalan et al, 2021 ). There seemed to be some confusion among participants, however, because the consumption of foods and beverages high in calories was identified by the majority of participants as a risk factor for cancer, but waist circumference, a variable related to excess weight, was not identified as a risk factor for cancer by most of the participants.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Cancer prevention recommendations: awareness in a Mexican public hospital

Trujillo Rivera,

Sampieri,

Trujillo Rivera

et al. 2024

PeerJ

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Background The recommendations of both the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) for the prevention of cancer are important public health tools. These recommendations for the prevention of specific cancers are related to body weight maintenance; physical activity; foods and drinks that promote weight gain; plant foods; foods of animal origin; alcoholic beverages; preservation, processing, and preparation of food; food supplements; and breastfeeding. Methods This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study. All patients provided written informed consent prior to enrollment in the study. Stratified random sampling was carried out with a convenience sample size of ≥280 participants. The characteristics of the participants were investigated using validated questions. Knowledge about the WCRF/AICR recommendations for the primary prevention of cancer was determined using 14 multiple choice questions validated in this study. Group A included participants who answered that cancer can be prevented and that lifestyle is the main factor related to the onset of cancer; the remaining participants were assigned to Group B. The χ2 test and Mann‒Whitney U test were used to determine differences in the groups. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. A multiple linear regression analysis with gamma response was performed to assess the knowledge score. Results A total of 289 participants were included; 168 (58%) participants were in group A, and 121 (42%) participants were in group B. Using a 0 to 14 scale, the median (P25, P75) number of correct answers was 11 (10, 12). There was no evidence of a difference between groups in sex, relationship status, literacy skills, years of education, occupation, monthly income per person, and BMI. Most of the participants reported that they did not consume tobacco (n = 259/289) or alcohol (n = 261/289) in the week prior to completing the survey. Discussion Most of the participants (58%) considered cancer preventable and agreed that lifestyle factors were the most important factors in cancer development. The results also showed a high level of public awareness of some evidence-based associations between cancer and lifestyle factors, such as tobacco use. Some confusion among the public on other risk factors was also identified: waist circumference, a variable related to excess weight, was not identified as a risk factor for cancer by most of the participants, but the consumption of foods and beverages high in calories was identified as a risk factor by the majority of participants. Awareness of cancer protective and risk factors may lead to positive behavioral changes and eventually reduce the burden of cancer.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Cancer prevention recommendations: awareness in a Mexican public hospital

Trujillo Rivera,

Sampieri,

Trujillo Rivera

et al. 2024

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Regarding risk factors and carcinogens, respondents were aware of certain environmental and chemical carcinogens, most notably smoking. Many national (Sabi et al) [ 13 ] (Alghamdi et al) [ 11 ] (Ibrahim et al) [ 12 ] (Ravichandran et al) [ 14 ] and regional studies from the UAE (Ahmed et al) [ 15 ], Oman (Alazri et al) [ 16 ] and Lebanon (Kabalan) [ 17 ] showed that smoking was the most well-known risk factor. As (Alazri et al) stated, this might be because smoking is culturally and religiously unacceptable in Muslim Gulf Arabian cultures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Observational Cross-Sectional Study on Cancer Awareness and Beliefs about Carcinogens among Saudi Women

Akkour

Alsuwaidan

Almoqren

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Public knowledge about the risk factors of cancer is essential to ensure an effective prevention program. This study aims to explore the knowledge of the general Saudi population about cancer and carcinogens and to determine the misconceptions about carcinogens to help create appropriate evidence-based prevention awareness programs. A questionnaire of 63 questions related to biographic data, source of knowledge, risk factors, and the burden of cancer was distributed online. The internet was the most sought source for cancer-related information (75.2%). The inclusion of cancer-related subjects in the educational curriculum was believed to be the best way to educate children about cancer (48.4%). Knowledge about cancer risk factors was good overall for 10 out of the 27 risk factors assessed in the study, with cigarette smoking being the most well-known risk factor (91.5%), followed by hookah smoking (85.6%), and nuclear waste exposure (80%). However, only 16.3% of participants were aware of the risk associated with Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs), and less than half of the participants knew the risk associated with poor physical activity. About 45% (44.9%) believed that envy and spiritual causes are associated with cancer. Most of the study participants (70%) considered cancer to be a significant health issue in Saudi, mainly due to the increasing incidence rate (44%). Conclusion: This study showed a good level of awareness regarding cancer risk factors and environmental carcinogens, which could serve as a roadmap for future awareness programs and studies targeted at the knowledge of other risk factors for cancer.

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Awareness of environmental carcinogens and cancer risk among Jordanians

El Gazzar,

Al-Hashaikeh,

Al Maslooki

et al. 2024

J. Egypt. Public. Health. Assoc.

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Background In light of the existing body of scientific data, many substances are now recognized or reasonably assumed to be human carcinogens. Public knowledge about modifiable environmental carcinogens is regarded as a crucial first step in primary prevention. This study aimed to assess Jordanians' awareness of some of the recognized environmental human carcinogens and general cancer information. Methods This study was conducted using a cross-sectional descriptive survey based on a questionnaire completed by Jordanian participants aged 18 or above. The questions consisted of the following sections: socio-demographic characteristics, questions about the prevalent and non-prevalent cancer types in Jordan and general causes of cancer, closed-ended questions to evaluate knowledge about environmental carcinogens as well as factors that influence the development of cancer, source of knowledge about carcinogens and interest in learning about human carcinogens, and the best way for prevention of cancer. Results A total of 579 questionnaires were completed. Among respondents, 55.6% (n = 322) had a knowledge score ≥ 8 indicating good knowledge. However, low awareness was demonstrated regarding cancer-causing substances such as wood dust, Nitrosamines, Aflatoxins, Formaldehyde, Naphthalene, Asbestos, Benzene, and Arsenic. A significant portion of the participants failed to categorize infectious pathogens linked to cancer as variables that either cause cancer or raise the risk of developing cancer. Conclusion This study demonstrated a good level of awareness regarding some environmental carcinogens but also highlighted the lack of knowledge about other environmental carcinogens. These findings may provide a guide for future awareness programs by health authorities.

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Public Awareness of Environmental Risk Factors of Cancer Among the Lebanese General Population

Cited by 3 publications

References 37 publications

Cancer prevention recommendations: awareness in a Mexican public hospital

Cancer prevention recommendations: awareness in a Mexican public hospital

An Observational Cross-Sectional Study on Cancer Awareness and Beliefs about Carcinogens among Saudi Women

Awareness of environmental carcinogens and cancer risk among Jordanians

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