Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Lack of awareness of oesophageal carcinoma among the public in Ireland

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Irish Journal of Medical Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Oesophageal cancer is advanced in the majority at presentation and its symptoms are usually present for many months suggesting poor awareness of its symptoms. Few studies have examined awareness of oesophageal cancer amongst the public.

Aims

This study aimed to identify the level of awareness among the general public of oesophageal cancer, of its symptoms, of its awareness campaigns and to compare it with other common cancers.

Methods

Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 279 members of the public. People were asked about their awareness of a range of cancers, and their knowledge of cancer symptoms and cancer awareness campaigns.

Results

Awareness of oesophageal cancer was low and knowledge of its symptoms was even lower. Despite the efforts of awareness campaigns, knowledge of these campaigns was poor amongst the public.

Conclusion

Awareness of oesophageal cancer and its symptoms is low amongst the public. This needs to be addressed if disease is to be detected at an earlier and curable stage.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Powell J, McConkey CC, Gillison EW, Spychal RT (2002) Continuing rising trend in oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Int J Cancer 102(4):422–427

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Berrino F, Capocaccia R, Estève J, Gatta G, Hakulinen T, Micheli A, Sant M, Verdecchia A (eds) (1999) Survival of cancer patients in Europe: the EUROCARE II study. IARC, Lyons

  3. Sihvo EI, Luostarinen ME, Salo JA (2004) Fate of patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and the esophagogastric junction: a population-based analysis. Am J Gastroenterol 99(3):419–424

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Victorzon M, Tolonen P, Kohonen M, Salmo M (2004) Outcome of surgery for oesophageal carcinoma in a low volume centre, with and without preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Scand J Surg 93(1):37–42

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Eloubeidi MA, Desmond R, Arguedas MR, Reed CE, Wilcox CM (2002) Prognostic factors for the survival of patients with esophageal carcinoma in the U.S.: the importance of tumor length and lymph node status. Cancer 95(7):1434–1443

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Rothwell JF, Feehan E, Reid I, Walsh TN, Hennessy TP (1997) Delay in treatment for oesophageal cancer. Br J Surg 84(5):690–693

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. McCulloch P, Brown P, Martin B, Williams E (2003) The effects of an awareness-raising program for patients and primary care physicians on the early detection of gastro-oesophageal cancer. Surgery 133(2):154–161

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Grannell MS, Kelly S, Shannon S, Chong AL, Walsh TN (2001) The sinister significance of dysphagia. Ir J Med Sci 170(4):244–245

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Jones RV, Dudgeon TA (1992) Time between presentation and treatment of six common cancers: a study in Devon. Br J Gen Pract 42(363):419–422

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the oesophageal cancer fund (OCF) for commissioning this study and for their ongoing endeavours in promoting awareness of oesophageal cancer and the UCD Marketing Development Programme of The Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business for conducting the questionnaires with the public, in particular, marketing advisor Alexandra Cashman Edge, as well as Jennifer Hoey, Anne Marie Humphreys, Aidan Lundy, Bridget Quille, and Niall Reilly.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin, 15, Ireland

    S. C. FitzGerald, M. Al Sahaf, H. Furlong, K. Pennycooke, C. Healy & T. N. Walsh

Authors
  1. S. C. FitzGerald
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Al Sahaf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H. Furlong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. K. Pennycooke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. C. Healy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. T. N. Walsh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to T. N. Walsh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

FitzGerald, S.C., Al Sahaf, M., Furlong, H. et al. Lack of awareness of oesophageal carcinoma among the public in Ireland. Ir J Med Sci 177, 151–154 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-008-0147-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-008-0147-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation