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Handbook of Behavioral Medicine pp 367–381Cite as

Screening and Early Detection of Cancer: A Population Perspective

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Abstract

Many developed countries have begun to focus on the need to prevent mortality from non-communicable diseases such as cancer. One of the cornerstones of this effort has been the use of screening to identify individuals with pre-symptomatic disease, so that treatment can be initiated at an early stage and therefore be more successful. Focusing on the use of screening in cancer control, this chapter discusses the criteria of a good screening tool and reviews current policy for cervical, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer screening. There are two aspects relating to cancer screening that are of interest to behavioral scientists. First the issue of achieving good levels of uptake – breast and cervical screening programs are well established and uptake is high, but colorectal cancer screening is newer and uptake is not as good. This chapter discusses socio-demographic, psychosocial, and practical determinants of cancer screening and reviews interventions that have been successful in increasing uptake. The second issue, the psychological consequences of taking part in cancer screening, is also discussed. The chapter concludes with a discussion of future issues that should be the focus of research in cancer screening over the next decade.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK

    Laura A.V. Marlow (Research Associate), Jo Waller (Senior Research Associate) & Jane Wardle

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  1. Laura A.V. Marlow
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  2. Jo Waller
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  3. Jane Wardle
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Correspondence to Jane Wardle .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. St Georges Hospital Medical School, Dept. Psychology, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom

    A. Steptoe

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Marlow, L.A., Waller, J., Wardle, J. (2010). Screening and Early Detection of Cancer: A Population Perspective. In: Steptoe, A. (eds) Handbook of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09488-5_26

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