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Fear of cancer and knowledge of cancer: A review and proposed relevance to hazardous waste sites

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  • Berman, Steven H.
  • Wandersman, Abraham

Abstract

Cancer is a disease that is widely feared because of its prevalence and incidence, its widespread causes (heredity, environment, lifestyle) and the belief that 'everything causes cancer'. We review evidence on knowledge of cancer and find that knowledge is very limited. Then we examine factors that are related to knowledge of cancer and the pursuit of additional knowledge about cancer and factors that are related to health care behavior such as low rates of participation in cancer screening tests. This review leads us to conceptualize the essential, and perhaps central, role that fear of cancer has in the psychology of cancer. We then explore why cancer and fear of cancer have gained much attention in communities located near hazardous waste sites.

Suggested Citation

  • Berman, Steven H. & Wandersman, Abraham, 1990. "Fear of cancer and knowledge of cancer: A review and proposed relevance to hazardous waste sites," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 81-90, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:31:y:1990:i:1:p:81-90
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Craig W. Trumbo & Katherine A. McComas & John C. Besley, 2008. "Individual‐ and Community‐Level Effects on Risk Perception in Cancer Cluster Investigations," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(1), pages 161-178, February.
    2. Malcolm P. Cutchin & Kathryn Remmes Martin & Steven V. Owen & James S. Goodwin, 2008. "Concern About Petrochemical Health Risk Before and After a Refinery Explosion," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(3), pages 589-601, June.
    3. Craig W. Trumbo & Katherine A. McComas & Prathana Kannaovakun, 2007. "Cancer Anxiety and the Perception of Risk in Alarmed Communities," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(2), pages 337-350, April.
    4. Elaine Vaughan, 1995. "The Significance of Socioeconomic and Ethnic Diversity for the Risk Communication Process," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(2), pages 169-180, April.

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