The studies' findings reinforce the generally held view that women are more aware of the need for self examination and that it should be done regularly. The women in the study were also more anxious about breast cancer than bowel cancer.
By The British Psychological Society, [RxPG] Whether people carry out self examination for health conditions is related to how much control they feel over their health. New research by psychologists suggests that for both men and women, their anxiety about a condition and feelings of control over their health may predict the likelihood of carrying out self-examination.
The research by Penelope List from Keele University, will be presented at the British Psychological Society's Annual Conference at the University of Manchester on Friday 1 April 2005.
In a series of studies, Penelope List and her colleagues, Martin Johnson of the University of Newcastle, Australia and Sarah Baker of Sheffield University used questionnaires to explore what determines whether people will carry out self-examination for cancerous conditions. Men and women, ranging in age from 21 to 86 years, were asked about their knowledge of the need for self-examination and their actual frequency of examination.
The studies measured people's general anxiety and specific anxiety about particular forms of cancer, as well as how much they felt they were in control of their health.
The studies' findings reinforce the generally held view that women are more aware of the need for self examination and that it should be done regularly. The women in the study were also more anxious about breast cancer than bowel cancer.
The men were less anxious overall about the dangers of testicular cancer or bowel cancer and less aware of the need for examination. However, the men who carried out self-examination were likely to be more anxious about testicular cancer than those who did not. The study also found that people who felt that they had more control over their health carry out more frequent and more regular examinations.
The findings of the studies illustrate how health messages need to continue to stress the value of self checking for a range of health conditions including cancer, which benefit from early detection. This is particularly so for those who might see themselves as least at risk, for example young men.
Publication:
Presented at the British Psychological Society's Annual Conference
On the web:www.bps.org.uk
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