Journal
PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY
Volume 22, Issue 3, Pages 605-613Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/pon.3041
Keywords
public attitudes; disparities; survivorship; social support; disclosure
Funding
- Korea Healthcare Technology R&D Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea [A102065]
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Background: Regardless of improved survival rate, negative images and myths about cancer still abound. Cancer stigma may reduce patients' life opportunities resulting in social isolation, decreased level of emotional well-being, and poor health outcomes. This study was aimed to evaluate public attitudes toward cancer and cancer patients and people's willingness to disclose cancer diagnosis in South Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in August and September 2009. A nationally representative sample of 1011 men and women with no history of cancer was recruited. A set of 12 questions grouped into three domains (impossibility of recovery, cancer stereotypes, and discrimination) was used to assess public attitudes toward cancer. Results: It was found 58.5% of study participants agreed that it is impossible to treat cancer regardless of highly developed medical science, 71.8% agreed that cancer patients would not be able to make contributions to society, and 23.5% agreed that they would avoid working with persons who have cancer. The proportions of people who said that that they would not disclose a cancer diagnosis to family, friends or neighbors, or coworkers were 30.2%, 47.0%, and 50.7%, respectively. Negative attitudes toward cancer were strongly associated with lower willingness to disclose a cancer diagnosis. Conclusions: Negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discriminating attitudes toward cancer and people affected by the disease were very common in spite of clinical progress and improved survivorship. Impact: Our findings emphasize the need for health policy and social changes to provide a more supportive environment for cancer survivors. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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