Awareness of lifestyle risk factors for cancer and heart disease among adults in the UK

Objective

To examine and compare awareness of lifestyle risk factors for cancer and heart disease in a single UK representative sample.

Methods

Two open-ended questions about cancer and heart disease risk factors were included in a population-based survey of 1747 adults. Responses were coded for four lifestyles with established links to both diseases: smoking, eating an unhealthy diet, drinking excessive alcohol and physical inactivity.

Results

Awareness of lifestyle risk factors was low for both diseases, although higher for heart disease than cancer. The average number identified by respondents was 2.1 (heart disease) and 1.4 (cancer). The strongest predictor was education (both p < 0.001). Awareness that physical inactivity is a cancer risk factor was particularly low at 7%.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that public awareness of the impact of lifestyle on commonly feared diseases, especially cancer, is low.

Practice implications

Unhealthy lifestyles make a significant contribution to ill health and mortality. Increased public awareness of the links between lifestyles and commonly feared diseases might help people understand the potential health consequences of their actions and encourage them to make much-needed lifestyle changes. Efforts are needed to improve public health messages about how lifestyle risk factors impact on the chances of developing these important diseases.