MUN researchers launch cancer survey
Doctors seek information about N.L. public’s cancer awareness, knowledge
Developing a better understanding of awareness and knowledge surrounding cancer — including risk factors, screening and prevention — has led to an online survey for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Researchers at Memorial University are asking residents of this province to participate in an online survey dealing with cancer awareness and prevention.
The study, which will collect data until the end of May, could determine whether cancer awareness and associated health practices are related to whether a person’s family or friends have been diagnosed with cancer.
“The results from this study will provide very important information for evidence-based chronic disease prevention,” said Dr. Peter Wang, the principal investigator and professor
in Memorial University’s faculty of medicine.
“For example, the results from this study will answer several important questions related to the Newfoundland and Labrador public.”
Those questions could expand knowledge in the following areas:
• How well is the Newfoundland and Labrador public informed about chronic disease prevention, especially for cancer?
• How do people’s health knowledge and attitudes affect
their diet and lifestyles?
• Are people with high risks of certain chronic health conditions more likely to engage in healthy lifestyles?
The primary focus of the study is on cancer prevention, but it will look at factors that will help inform other chronic disease prevention efforts in this province and lend to a comparison of study results with other populations in Canada.
Healthy diet and lifestyles play an essential role in preventing many chronic diseases,
such as obesity, diabetes, heart diseases and many types of cancer.
In order to effectively prevent disease, more than just knowledge of its biology and risk factors are required to put that knowledge into practice.
The study was launched to assess health knowledge and lifestyles among older adults in Newfoundland and Labrador. All N.L. residents — ages 35 to 74 — are eligible for the study.
Participants should expect the survey to take approximately 20 minutes to complete online, and they are asked to answer all of the questions to the best of their ability. The survey will also ask basic questions on demographics, health, social support and health-related behaviours such as diet, physical activity and the use of health care services.
These answers will help shape the future of cancer prevention strategies by addressing the unique needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans.
This study is supported by a grant from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Healthy Aging Research Program (NL-HARP). Other co-investigators are doctors Aubrey, Etchegary, Roebothan, Asghari and Yi.
Participation in this study is anonymous and has been approved by the Health Research Ethics Authority (HREA) of Newfoundland and Labrador.
To complete the online survey anonymously, go online to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1faipqlsccovjrqy6MBTFNFZ7WWQ0FJPUOHGDYv3ukktpusx3tzd3vwq/viewform.