Cancer Awareness in Hertfordshire, Luton and South Bedfordshire

Awareness of warning signs of cancerWomen showed similar levels of recognition for each symptom when compared to menand the mean number of symptoms recognised was also comparable (7.4 recognisedby men, 7.48 recognised by women). Whilst not always a significant variance, thepattern of data shows that older respondents were more likely to recognise warningsigns than the younger 18-24 year old respondents and this was true for lumps orswellings, unexplained pain, bleeding, changes in bowel or bladder habits, difficultyswallowing, change in appearance of a mole, a sore that doesn’t heal and weight loss.For example, 79% of 18-24 year olds recognised that a change in the appearance of amole could be a sign of cancer, a significantly lower proportion than those aged 25years or above (87% 25-44 years, 91% 45-64 years and 89% 65+ years).In addition, those from a Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) background had significantlylower levels of cancer warning sign recognition than non BME for all symptomsexcepting a persistent cough, difficulty swallowing and a sore that doesn’t heal. Forexample, 94% of non BME respondents recognised an unexplained lump or swellingcould be a sign of cancer, compared to 86% of BME respondents. Counting thenumber of symptoms recognised, non BME respondents were familiar with moresymptoms (7.51 out of 9) than the BME (7.22 out of 9).Level of education did not appear to be a factor influencing recognition of cancerwarning signs. Comparing those respondents who had been educated beyondO’levels/GCSEs to those educated only towards O’level/GCSEs, there were nosignificant differences in the proportion recognising each potential sign of cancer.However, perhaps unsurprisingly, respondents that have themselves, a family memberor friend had cancer are more likely to be aware of each of the signs of cancer.Analysis by PCT shows the East and North Hertfordshire PCT participants have alower level of prompted awareness of cancer warning signs or symptoms than all otherPCT areas. The South Bedfordshire PCT in particular has significantly higherprompted levels of recognition for six of the symptom types; this is denoted by thebold, underlined figures in the table below, in comparison to those figures underlinedbut not in bold (i.e. the significantly lowest figures).11