Development of a measurement tool to assess public awareness of cancer

Stubbings, S., Robb, K.A. , Waller, J., Ramirez, A., Austoker, J., MacLeod, U., Hiom, S. and Wardle, J. (2009) Development of a measurement tool to assess public awareness of cancer. British Journal of Cancer, 101, S13-S17. (doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605385) (PMID:19956157) (PMCID:PMC2790699)

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Abstract

<p>Objective: We aimed to develop and validate a measurement tool to assess cancer awareness in the general population: the cancer awareness measure (CAM).</p> <p>Methods: Items assessing awareness of cancer warning signs, risk factors, incidence, screening programmes and attitudes towards help seeking were extracted from the literature or generated by expert groups. To determine reliability, the CAM was administered to a university participant panel (n=148), with a sub-sample (n=94) completing it again 2 weeks later. To establish construct validity, CAM scores of cancer experts (n=12) were compared with those of non-medical academics (n=21). Finally, university students (n=49) were randomly assigned to read either a cancer information leaflet or a leaflet with control information before completing the measure, to ensure the CAM was sensitive to change.</p> <p>Results: Cognitive interviewing indicated that the CAM was being interpreted as intended. Internal reliability (Cronbach's α=0.77) and test–retest reliability (r=0.81) were high. Scores for cancer experts were significantly higher than those for non-medical academics (t(31)=6.8, P<0.001). CAM scores were higher among students who received an intervention leaflet than the control leaflet (t(47)=4.8, P<0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions: These studies show the psychometric properties of the CAM and support its validity as a measure of cancer awareness in the general population.</p>

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:MacLeod, Dr Una and Robb, Professor Katie
Authors: Stubbings, S., Robb, K.A., Waller, J., Ramirez, A., Austoker, J., MacLeod, U., Hiom, S., and Wardle, J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
Journal Name:British Journal of Cancer
Publisher:Nature Publishing Group
ISSN:0007-0920
ISSN (Online):1532-1827
Published Online:03 December 2009
Copyright Holders:Copyright ©2009 Cancer Research UK
First Published:First published in British Journal of Cancer 101:S13-S17
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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