Family influence on cancer screening participation in seven communities in Taiwan

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Taiwan. Since there is no definitive method for cancer prevention, early detection play a major role in fighting cancer. Factors that affect people's willingness to participate cancer screening have been discussed widely except for those relating to the family. The family's role in motivation & influencing its members to participate in an invited cancer-screening program was studied in seven Taiwanese communities. 5% of participants in each area for both genders were chosen by stratified random sampling, and matched with teice-informed nonparticipants who were chosen by sex, age, and neighborhood. By means of a home visit and structured questionnaire, 729 of the 987 eligible cases were interviewed (73.9%). The main findings were that the response was higher among people with higher education, nonsmokers, and those who felt the scheduled time and place of attendance was suitable and convenient. Moreover, in the 6 variables related to family (family structure, family life cycle, cancer history in family and friends, family APGAR, family support about health problems, and family's opinion about cancer screening), the last 4 variables were found to be significantly related by chi-square analysis to the attendance. Finally, a logistic regression analysis adjusted by age, sex, education, smoking habits, time available and traffic factors was used to analyze how family factors affect attendance. The result was cancer history in family and friends (odd ratio = 2.42) and family's encouragement (odd ratio = 1.85) had a positive association.