{"id":95352,"date":"2020-02-04T09:00:32","date_gmt":"2020-02-04T01:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pamper.my\/news\/?p=95352"},"modified":"2020-02-04T10:20:26","modified_gmt":"2020-02-04T02:20:26","slug":"world-cancer-day-uicc-survey-indicates-gaps-in-cancer-risk-awareness-between-higher-and-lower-socioeconomic-groups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pamper.my\/news\/health\/world-cancer-day-uicc-survey-indicates-gaps-in-cancer-risk-awareness-between-higher-and-lower-socioeconomic-groups\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cancer Day: UICC Survey Indicates Gaps in Cancer Risk Awareness Between Higher and Lower Socioeconomic Groups"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, 4 February 2020 marks the 20th anniversary of World Cancer Day.<\/strong> In a global survey commissioned by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), includes more than 15,000 adults across 20 countries –\u00a0International Public Opinion Survey on Cancer 2020: What people feel, think and believe about cancer today<\/a>, indicate a clear divide between higher and lower socioeconomic groups when it comes to knowledge and awareness of cancer risks and, as a result, the practice of behaviours to limit such risk.<\/p>\n

The survey\u2019s results show that there is generally a high level of cancer awareness among the surveyed population globally. Tobacco use (63%), exposure to harmful UV rays (54%) and exposure to tobacco smoke from others (50%) appear to be the most recognised factors that can increase a person\u2019s risk of cancer. Meanwhile, a lack of exercise (28%), exposure to certain viruses or bacteria (28%) and being overweight (29%) appear to be the least recognised cancer risk factors.<\/p>\n

However, individuals from a lower-income household bracket in the countries surveyed are less likely to recognise cancer risk factors than those from higher-income households. In all areas except tobacco use, this trend can also be seen when comparing people surveyed who have not completed a university education to those with university educations.<\/p>\n

Irrespective of where people live in the world, those surveyed with a lower education and those on lower incomes appear less aware of the main risk factors associated with cancer and appear less likely to proactively take the steps needed to reduce their cancer risk than those from a high income household or with a university education.<\/p>\n

An overwhelming 84% of individuals surveyed felt that governments should be taking action in relation to cancer whilst nearly a third of individuals surveyed believed that it is most important for governments to improve the affordability of cancer services \u2013 a measure notably emphasised by people surveyed in lower middle-income countries.<\/p>\n

UICC President HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan said: \u201cTo tackle the global cancer burden now and for the future, governments and decision makers across the international cancer community must come together to ensure that everyone is afforded every opportunity to take control over their cancer risk \u2013 no matter their education or income level.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

To help raise greater awareness around cancer and to support health-promoting behaviours so that no one gets left behind, UICC is calling for all governments to:<\/p>\n