Shankar A, Roy S, Bhandari R, Malik A, Rath G K, Julka P K, Barnwal K, Upadhyaya S, Singh R, Srivastava V
Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India.
Department of Paediatrics, VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, India.
Gulf J Oncolog. 2015 Sep;1(19):57-62.
Lung cancer is the one of the most common cause of cancer mortality among men in India where incidence rates are increasing although they are largely preventable diseases. In India, late presentation is generally responsible for high mortality and morbidity rates and early detection is one of the best ways to control it. The purpose of this study is to measure the level of awareness on lung cancer among women represented by a sample of college teachers in India and the impact of awareness programs in changing or adopting safer practices and the prevention and early detection of the disease.
The assessment was conducted during a Pink Chain Campaign on cancer awareness in 2011 in various women colleges in India. Pre-test related to lung cancer was followed by awareness programs. Posttest using the same questionnaire was conducted at the end of interactive session, at 1 year and 6 months.
A total of 156 out of 182 teachers participated in the study (overall response rate was 85.7%). Mean age of the study population was 42.4 years (range- 28-59 yrs). There was a significant increase in level of knowledge regarding lung cancer at 6 months and this was sustained at 1 year. Magazines and newspapers were the primary source for information regarding risk factors, signs and symptoms of lung cancer in more than 60% of teachers whereas more than 30% teachers were educated by doctors. At post-awareness after 1 year and 6 months, there was a significant change in alcohol and smoking habits. The main reasons for not undergoing screening tests are: ignorance (50%), lethargic attitude (44.8 %) and lack of time (34.6 %).
Knowledge about lung cancer was very low among teachers. Overall awareness of risk factors, signs and symptoms, and screening modalities of lung cancer have improved after 1 year along with practices related to smoking and alcohol consumption. There was a significant improvement in people undergoing regular check-up's. Improved means of communication, access to information and effective warnings about cigarette smoking are necessary to increase public awareness. To ensure the adoption of safe practices in the lifestyle of people who smoke and consume alcohol, awareness programmes such as the pink chain campaign should be conducted regularly, frequently and more widely in various areas of India.
肺癌是印度男性癌症死亡的最常见原因之一，尽管肺癌在很大程度上是可预防的疾病，但印度的发病率仍在上升。在印度，就诊延迟通常是导致高死亡率和高发病率的原因，而早期检测是控制肺癌的最佳方法之一。本研究的目的是衡量以印度大学教师样本为代表的女性对肺癌的认知水平，以及认知项目在改变或采用更安全做法以及预防和早期检测该疾病方面的影响。
评估在2011年印度各女子学院开展的粉红链癌症宣传活动期间进行。在进行与肺癌相关的预测试后开展宣传项目。在互动环节结束时、1年和6个月时使用相同问卷进行后测。
182名教师中共有156名参与了研究（总体回复率为85.7%）。研究人群的平均年龄为42.4岁（范围为28 - 59岁）。6个月时关于肺癌的知识水平有显著提高，且在1年时得以维持。超过60%的教师表示杂志和报纸是了解肺癌危险因素、体征和症状信息的主要来源，而超过30%的教师是由医生进行教育。在1年和6个月的认知后，饮酒和吸烟习惯有显著变化。不进行筛查测试的主要原因是：无知（50%）、态度慵懒（44.8%）和缺乏时间（34.6%）。
教师对肺癌的了解非常少。1年后，对肺癌危险因素、体征和症状以及筛查方式的总体认知有所提高，同时与吸烟和饮酒相关的行为也有所改善。定期进行体检的人数有显著增加。需要改进沟通方式、获取信息的途径以及对吸烟的有效警示，以提高公众意识。为确保吸烟和饮酒人群在生活方式中采用安全做法，应在印度各地区定期、频繁且更广泛地开展粉红链宣传活动等认知项目。
