Background and Context:
Cancer is the leading type of cancer in women and has become a public health problem.Delay in diagnosis and treatment of cancer diminishes chance of survival. awareness regarding risk factors, symptoms and treatment facilities may be effective in better outcome.
Aim:
To study the level of awareness and knowledge about cancers and associated risk factors among households in different states of India.
Strategy/Tactics:
In the study 2000 households were interviewed from six states in india regarding level of knowledge about cacers.
Programme/Policy Process:
Knowledge of cancers other than those related to tobacco was very low (prostate 18%, colon 9% ) among the communities, with a poor awareness of common signs and symptoms. The knowledge varied from state to state. It is found that the major source of information related to cancers was television (38%) followed by friends and relatives (36%). Only about 15 % of respondents had knowledge about cancer awareness camps organized in their districts but they did not have knowledge about the organizers of the camp.
Outcomes/What was learned:
It is important to create awareness among community through educational programs on cancer prevention, preventable cancer risk factors, benefits of early diagnosis, and availability of screening facilities.