J Korean Oncol Nurs.  2010 Aug;10(2):137-145.

Cancer Risk Perception and Cancer Related Health Behavior in College Students

• Shin GY
• Joo MK

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to survey the college students' perception of cancer risks, cancer related health behavior, and perception of cancer occurrence possibility before and after age 40.
METHODS
The subjects were 771 college students who were conveniently selected from two colleges in the Gyeonggi Province. Data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 12.0.
RESULTS
The mean score of cancer risk perception was 3.8. The highest score item was 'smoking may cause cancer'. The mean score of cancer related health behavior was 3.0. The highest score item was 'take bath or shower'. Student felt that possibility of developing cancer before age 40 was 20.1% and that after age 40 was 36.2%. The perception of cancer risks was significantly different between male and female, and the health behavior was significantly different between age groups. There were weak relationships between the perception of cancer risks and cancer related health behavior.
CONCLUSION
College students' perception of cancer risks was mostly good, but their behavior to reduce the risks did not match the degree of perception. Students recognized that after age 40 has a higher risk of developing cancer, therefore, intervention on behavioral modification to reduce cancer risks would be beneficial.

Keyword

Cancer; Prevention; Perception; Health behavior

MeSH Terms

Baths
Female
Health Behavior
Humans
Male

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