Self-testing for cancer: a community survey
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cancer-related self-tests are currently available to buy in pharmacies or over the internet, including tests for faecal occult blood, PSA and haematuria. Self-tests have potential benefits (e.g. convenience) but there are also potent...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2008-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Cancer |
| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/8/102 |
| _version_ | 1818778799669510144 |
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| author | Fitzmaurice David A Pattison Helen M Holder Roger L Clifford Sue C Greenfield Sheila M Ryan Angela V Wilson Sue McManus Richard J |
| author_facet | Fitzmaurice David A Pattison Helen M Holder Roger L Clifford Sue C Greenfield Sheila M Ryan Angela V Wilson Sue McManus Richard J |
| author_sort | Fitzmaurice David A |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cancer-related self-tests are currently available to buy in pharmacies or over the internet, including tests for faecal occult blood, PSA and haematuria. Self-tests have potential benefits (e.g. convenience) but there are also potential harms (e.g. delays in seeking treatment). The extent of cancer-related self-test use in the UK is not known. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cancer-related self-test use.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Adults (n = 5,545) in the West Midlands were sent a questionnaire that collected socio-demographic information and data regarding previous and potential future use of 18 different self-tests. Prevalence rates were directly standardised to the England population. The postcode based Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004 was used as a proxy measure of deprivation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>2,925 (54%) usable questionnaires were returned. 1.2% (95% CI 0.83% to 1.66%) of responders reported having used a cancer related self test kit and a further 36% reported that they would consider using one in the future. Logistic regression analyses suggest that increasing age, deprivation category and employment status were associated with cancer-related self-test kit use.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that one in 100 of the adult population have used a cancer-related self-test kit and over a third would consider using one in the future. Self-test kit use could alter perceptions of risk, cause psychological morbidity and impact on the demand for healthcare.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T11:50:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-39ffc0b7bfaf4531af58c843f8d463de |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2407 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T11:50:28Z |
| publishDate | 2008-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Cancer |
| spelling | doaj.art-39ffc0b7bfaf4531af58c843f8d463de2022-12-21T21:09:10ZengBMCBMC Cancer1471-24072008-04-018110210.1186/1471-2407-8-102Self-testing for cancer: a community surveyFitzmaurice David APattison Helen MHolder Roger LClifford Sue CGreenfield Sheila MRyan Angela VWilson SueMcManus Richard J<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cancer-related self-tests are currently available to buy in pharmacies or over the internet, including tests for faecal occult blood, PSA and haematuria. Self-tests have potential benefits (e.g. convenience) but there are also potential harms (e.g. delays in seeking treatment). The extent of cancer-related self-test use in the UK is not known. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cancer-related self-test use.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Adults (n = 5,545) in the West Midlands were sent a questionnaire that collected socio-demographic information and data regarding previous and potential future use of 18 different self-tests. Prevalence rates were directly standardised to the England population. The postcode based Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004 was used as a proxy measure of deprivation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>2,925 (54%) usable questionnaires were returned. 1.2% (95% CI 0.83% to 1.66%) of responders reported having used a cancer related self test kit and a further 36% reported that they would consider using one in the future. Logistic regression analyses suggest that increasing age, deprivation category and employment status were associated with cancer-related self-test kit use.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that one in 100 of the adult population have used a cancer-related self-test kit and over a third would consider using one in the future. Self-test kit use could alter perceptions of risk, cause psychological morbidity and impact on the demand for healthcare.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/8/102 |
| spellingShingle | Fitzmaurice David A Pattison Helen M Holder Roger L Clifford Sue C Greenfield Sheila M Ryan Angela V Wilson Sue McManus Richard J Self-testing for cancer: a community survey BMC Cancer |
| title | Self-testing for cancer: a community survey |
| title_full | Self-testing for cancer: a community survey |
| title_fullStr | Self-testing for cancer: a community survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-testing for cancer: a community survey |
| title_short | Self-testing for cancer: a community survey |
| title_sort | self testing for cancer a community survey |
| url | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/8/102 |
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