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Requests for Cancer Prevention Information: The Cancer Information Service (2002–2006)

Journal of Cancer Education volume 25, pages 16–22 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Prevention is crucial to reducing cancer burden. Awareness of prevention information is critical to engaging the public in prevention activities. We examined 106,610 information requests from the general public to the Cancer Information Service from 2002 to 2006. The percent of requests related to primary prevention decreased in 2003, but otherwise remained stable around 19%. The percent of requests related to secondary prevention decreased over time, from 38% (2003) to 14% (2006). Demographic characteristics were associated with patterns of change across time. Results suggest that efforts are needed to increase public awareness of cancer prevention, particularly among certain populations.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA

    Helen W. Sullivan, Lila J. Finney Rutten & Erika A. Waters

  2. 6130 Executive Boulevard, Bethesda, MD, 20892-7365, USA

    Helen W. Sullivan

Authors
  1. Helen W. Sullivan
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  2. Lila J. Finney Rutten
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  3. Erika A. Waters
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Helen W. Sullivan.

Additional information

Helen W. Sullivan and Erika A. Waters were supported by the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, Office of Preventive Oncology, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD.

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Sullivan, H.W., Finney Rutten, L.J. & Waters, E.A. Requests for Cancer Prevention Information: The Cancer Information Service (2002–2006). J Canc Educ 25, 16–22 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-009-0003-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-009-0003-3

Keywords

  • Cancer prevention
  • Cancer Information Service
  • Public awareness