Ellen Westhoff1, Julia Maria de Oliveira-Neumayer2, Katja K Aben3, Alina Vrieling4, Lambertus A Kiemeney5. 1. Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Ellen.Westhoff@radboudumc.nl. 2. Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Julia_Neumayer@hotmail.com. 3. Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Katja.Aben@radboudumc.nl. 4. Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Alina.Vrieling@radboudumc.nl. 5. Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Bart.Kiemeney@radboudumc.nl.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Data on urinary bladder cancer (UBC) patients' perceptions about causes of bladder cancer is limited, while this may be important knowledge for health prevention and education. We evaluated self-reported perceptions and beliefs about the causes of bladder cancer among UBC survivors in the Netherlands. METHODS: UBC survivors identified through the Netherlands Cancer Registry from 2007 to 2012 were invited to participate. Patients who consented were asked to fill out a questionnaire, including questions on lifestyle characteristics, occupational and medical history, and family history of cancer. The final question was 'You have been diagnosed with bladder cancer. Do you have any idea what may have been the cause of your cancer?'. RESULTS: Of the 1793 UBC survivors included, 366 (20%) reported a possible cause for their bladder cancer. The most frequently reported suspected causes were smoking (10%), occupational exposure (5%), and heredity (2%). Smoking, occupational exposure and heredity were mentioned only slightly more frequently by participants with these risk factors (11%, 8%, and 5%, respectively) compared to the total population. CONCLUSIONS: Most UBC survivors did not suspect any cause that might have contributed to the development of their cancer. Even among participants with established risk factors for bladder cancer, these risk factors were not commonly perceived. This finding probably reflects the superficial knowledge of risk factors for bladder cancer in the population and highlights the importance of effective education on cancer prevention.
BACKGROUND: Data on urinary bladder cancer (UBC) patients' perceptions about causes of bladder cancer is limited, while this may be important knowledge for health prevention and education. We evaluated self-reported perceptions and beliefs about the causes of bladder cancer among UBC survivors in the Netherlands. METHODS: UBC survivors identified through the Netherlands Cancer Registry from 2007 to 2012 were invited to participate. Patients who consented were asked to fill out a questionnaire, including questions on lifestyle characteristics, occupational and medical history, and family history of cancer. The final question was 'You have been diagnosed with bladder cancer. Do you have any idea what may have been the cause of your cancer?'. RESULTS: Of the 1793 UBC survivors included, 366 (20%) reported a possible cause for their bladder cancer. The most frequently reported suspected causes were smoking (10%), occupational exposure (5%), and heredity (2%). Smoking, occupational exposure and heredity were mentioned only slightly more frequently by participants with these risk factors (11%, 8%, and 5%, respectively) compared to the total population. CONCLUSIONS: Most UBC survivors did not suspect any cause that might have contributed to the development of their cancer. Even among participants with established risk factors for bladder cancer, these risk factors were not commonly perceived. This finding probably reflects the superficial knowledge of risk factors for bladder cancer in the population and highlights the importance of effective education on cancer prevention.
Authors: Samuel G Smith; Emma Beard; Jennifer A McGowan; Emma Fox; Chloe Cook; Radhika Pal; Jo Waller; Lion Shahab Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2018-12-14 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Catalina Ciocan; Alessandro Godono; Nicolò Franco; Carlo La Vecchia; Eva Negri; Paolo Boffetta; Enrico Pira Journal: Med Lav Date: 2022-04-26 Impact factor: 2.244