HINTS Health Information National Trends Survey

What Does Hints Tell Us About... Cancer Perceptions and Knowledge


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HINTS Questions
  Asked in 2003 Asked in 2005 Asked in 2007
Can you think of any thing people can do to reduce their chances of getting cancer? CK-04
What specific changes should people make in their eating habits to reduce their chances of getting cancer? CK-05
...There's no risk of getting cancer if someone only smokes a few years. TU-09c
...Whether a person gets lung cancer depends more on genes than anything else. TU-09d
How likely do you think it is that the average {male/female} cigarette smoker will develop lung cancer in the future? TU-15
Overall, how many people who develop lung cancer do you think are cured? TU-17
Would you say the average smoker has about the same lung cancer risk as a non-smoker, a little higher lung cancer risk than a non-smoker, twice the non-smoker's risk, 5 times the non-smoker's risk or 10 or more times the non-smoker's risk? TU-18
Would you say you have about the same lung cancer risk as a non-smoker, a little higher lung cancer risk than a non-smoker, twice the non-smoker's risk, 5 times the non-smoker's risk, or 10 or more times the non-smoker's risk? TU-19
As far as you know, does physical activity or exercise increase the chances of getting some types of cancer, decrease the chances of getting some types of cancer, or does it not make much difference? EX-03 EB-10 BR09
You said people should get tested for cancer. What kinds of tests do you have in mind? CK-06
How likely do you think it is that you will develop cancer in the future? CK-08 CS06
Is there anything about your behavior or your lifestyle that you would like to change to reduce your chances of getting cancer? Anything else? CK-10
What specific changes should you make in your eating habits to reduce your chances of getting cancer? CK-11
You said you should get tested for cancer. What kinds of tests do you have in mind? CK-12
Do you think that smoking increases a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13a
Do you think that eating a high fat diet increases a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13b
Do you think that exposure to the sun increases a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13d
Do you think that pesticides or food additives increase a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13e
Do you think that not eating much fiber increases a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13g
Do you think that not eating many fruits and vegetables increases a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13h
Do you think that stress increases a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13i
Do you think that drinking a lot of alcoholic beverages increases a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13j
Do you think that being hit in the breast increases a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13k
Do you think that having many sexual partners increases a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13l
Do you think that having a family history of cancer increases a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13m
Do you think that being a particular race or ethnicity increases a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13n
Do you think that not getting much exercise increases a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13o
Do you think that pollution increases a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13r
Do you think that radon increases a person's chances of getting cancer a lot, a little, or not at all or do you have no opinion? CK-13s
Would you say you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree with the following statements or do you have no opinion: It seems like everything causes cancer. CK-14a CS12
...There's not much you can do to lower your chances of getting cancer. CK-14b CS13
...There are so many different recommendations about preventing cancer, it's hard to know which ones to follow. CK-14c CS14
Which type of cancer do you think will cause the most deaths in {women/men} this year in the U.S.? CK-15
How likely do you think it is that you will develop colon cancer in the future? CC-01 MM-01
Compared to the average {man/woman} your age, would you say that you are more likely to get colon cancer, less likely, or about as likely? CC-02
How often do you worry about getting colon cancer? CC-03 MM-03
At what age are people supposed to start doing home stool blood tests? CC-14
In general, once people start doing home blood stool tests, about how often should they do them? CC-15
At what age are people supposed to start having sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy exams? CC-24
In general, once people start having sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy exams, about how often should they have them? CC-25
Would you say you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree, or do you have no opinion with the following statements: Arranging to get checked for colon cancer would be easy for you. CC-26a
You are afraid of finding colon cancer if you were checked. CC-26b
... Getting checked regularly for colon cancer increases the chances of finding cancer when it's easy to treat. CC-26c MM-05i
...Getting checked for colon cancer is too expensive. CC-26d
Overall, how many people who develop lung cancer do you think survive at least 5 years? MM-07
Compared to the average person your age, would you say that you are more likely to get colon cancer, less likely, or about as likely? MM-02
Compared to the average person your age, would you say that you are more likely to get lung cancer, less likely, or about as likely? MM-02
Compared to the average person your age, would you say that you are more likely to get skin cancer, less likely, or about as likely? MM-02
Do you think that HPV infection is rare? CV-13c
Do you think HPV can cause abnormal Pap smears? CV-13e
Do you think that HPV can affect a woman's ability to get pregnant? CV-13f
... You are reluctant to get checked for skin cancer because you fear you may have it. MM-05h
... Getting checked regularly for skin cancer increases the chances of finding cancer when it's easy to treat. MM-05i
How often do you worry about getting lung cancer? MM-03
How often do you worry about getting skin cancer? MM-03
What are some things that people can do to reduce their chances of getting colon cancer? MM-04
What are some things that people can do to reduce their chances of getting lung cancer? MM-04
What are some things that people can do to reduce their chances of getting skin cancer? MM-04
Would you say you agree or disagree with the following statements? There's not much you can do to lower your chances of getting colon cancer. MM-05a
... There's not much you can do to lower your chances of getting lung cancer. MM-05a
... There's not much you can do to lower your chances of getting skin cancer. MM-05a
... There are so many different recommendations about preventing colon cancer that it's hard to know which ones to follow. MM-05b
... There are so many different recommendations about preventing lung cancer that it's hard to know which ones to follow. MM-05b
... There are so many different recommendations about preventing skin cancer that it's hard to know which ones to follow. MM-05b
... Colon cancer develops over a period of several years. MM-05c
... Lung cancer develops over a period of several years. MM-05c
... Skin cancer develops over a period of several years. MM-05c
... There are ways to slow down or disrupt the development of colon cancer. MM-05d
... There are ways to slow down or disrupt the development of lung cancer. MM-05d
... There are ways to slow down or disrupt the development of skin cancer. MM-05d
... Colon cancer is most often caused by a person's behavior or lifestyle. MM-05e
... Lung cancer is most often caused by a person's behavior or lifestyle. MM-05e
... Skin cancer is most often caused by a person's behavior or lifestyle. MM-05e
... It seems like almost everything causes colon cancer. MM-05f
... It seems like almost everything causes lung cancer. MM-05f
... It seems like almost everything causes skin cancer. MM-05f
... You are reluctant to get checked for colon cancer because you fear you may have it. MM-05h
... You are reluctant to get checked for lung cancer because you fear you may have it. MM-05h
... People with lung cancer would have pain or other symptoms prior to being diagnosed. MM-05l
... People with colon cancer would have pain or other symptoms prior to being diagnosed. MM-05l
What are the common symptoms of colon cancer? MM-06
What are the common symptoms of lung cancer? MM-06
What are the common symptoms of skin cancer? MM-06
Overall, how many people who develop colon cancer do you think survive at least 5 years? MM-07
Overall, how many people who develop skin cancer do you think survive at least 5 years? MM-07
Have you heard of any tests to find lung cancer before the cancer creates noticeable problems? BR54
What [lung] tests have you heard of? BR55
...When I think of cancer, I automatically think of death. CS07a
...Cancer is most often caused by a person's behavior or lifestyle. CS08
...Getting checked regularly for cancer helps find cancer when it's easy to treat. CS09
...People can tell they might have cancer before being diagnosed. CS10
...Cancer is an illness that when detected early can typically be cured. CS11
...Overall, how many people who develop cancer do you think survive at least 5 years? CS15
When you hear the word cancer, what type of cancer comes to mind first? CS16
Do you think HPV can cause cervical cancer? CV-13a BR67
Do you think you can get HPV through sexual contact? CV-13b BR68
Do you think HPV can go away on its own, without treatment? CV-13d BR70
Do you believe these tests are about equally effective in finding colon cancer, or are some more effective than others? BR96
Which test (or tests) do you believe is more effective in finding colon cancer? BR97
Compared to the average person your age, would you say that for colon/lung/skin cancer you are: MM-02r
How many things can people do to reduce their chances of getting colon/lung/skin cancer? MM04r
There¿s not much you can do to lower your chances of getting colon/lung/skin cancer. MM-05ar
There are ways to slow down or disrupt the development of colon/lung/skin cancer. MM-05dr
Colon/Lung/Skin cancer is most often caused by a person¿s behavior or lifestyle. MM-05er
It seems like almost everything causes colon/lung/skin cancer. MM-05fr
You are reluctant to get checked for colon/lung/skin cancer because you fear you may have it. MM-05hr
Getting checked regularly for colon/lung/skin cancer increases the chances of finding cancer when it¿s easy to treat. MM-05ir
How many common symptoms of colon/lung/skin cancer are there? MM-06r
How likely do you think it is that you will develop skin cancer in the future? MM-01
... People with skin cancer would have pain or other symptoms prior to being diagnosed. MM-05l
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English Briefs

Brief 15: Organizations Collaborate to Focus on Prevention MessagesDownload Brief in PDF Format
Cover image of Brief 15When it comes to cancer prevention, more information does not necessarily mean greater clarity. Organizations collaborate to focus on prevention messages.
May  2010
 
Brief 13: Americans Often Misunderstand the Extent to Which Colon, Skin, and Lung Cancers are Treatable and BeatableDownload Brief in PDF Format
Cover image of Brief 13"State-of-the-science" evidence in cancer refers to consensus among researchers and specialists regarding the most effective ways to prevent, screen for, and treat the disease, as well as rates of survival among those diagnosed.
Aug  2009
 
Brief 11: Knowledge of Tobacco-Related Cancers: Understanding the association of tobacco consumption and perceived cancer riskDownload Brief in PDF Format
Cover image of Brief 11Over the past several decades, significant progress has been made in reducing overall smoking rates and tobacco-related diseases. Despite these successes, there remain demographic and geographic disparities in smoking prevalence, tobacco-related health outcomes, and knowledge about lung cancer risk factors and mortality.
Oct  2008
 
Brief 9: Confusion about Cancer Prevention: Association with behaviorDownload Brief in PDF Format
Cover image of Brief 9Because many cancers can be prevented through individual action and lifestyle (e.g., not smoking, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and wearing sunscreen), public understanding of cancer prevention is critical to cancer control.
Jan  2008
 
Brief 5: Knowledge and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)Download Brief in PDF Format
Cover image of Brief 5In 2005, 61 percent of American women had never heard of HPV.
March  2007
 
Brief 4: Physical Activity: Cancer Risk Perceptions and Group Differences in BehaviorDownload Brief in PDF Format
Cover image of Brief 4The majority of Americans believes that physical activity plays a role in preventing cancer
December  2006
 
Brief 3: Cancer Screening: Breast, cervix, and colorectalDownload Brief in PDF Format
Cover image of Brief 3Most Americans Are Aware of Cancer Screening Tests. Knowing age and frequency recommendations remains a challenge.
Aug  2006
 
Brief 2: Cancer Knowledge: Understanding Cancer Risk and Reducing Cancer RiskDownload Brief in PDF Format
Cover image of Brief 2More than 64% of Americans believe that lifestyle and behavior influence cancer risk.
Mar  2006
 
Published Articles Using HINTS Data

Buster, K.J., You, Z., Fouad, M., Elmets, C. 2011Skin cancer risk perceptions: A comparison across ethnicity, age, education, gender, and incomeJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology  Article in Press.

Ferrer, R.A., Hall, K.L., Portnoy, D.B., Ling, B.S., Han, P.K.J., Klein, W.M.P. 2011Relationships Among Health Perceptions Vary Depending on Stage of Readiness for Colorectal Cancer Screening Health Psychology  30 (5), pp. 525-535.

Ho, M.Y., Lai, J.Y., Cheung, W.Y. 2011The influence of physicians on colorectal cancer screening behaviorCancer Causes and Control  22 (12), pp. 1659-1668.

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