Perceptions of Risk Survey

Your risk of cancer is influenced by many things.Each year we survey a sample of the population to find out what they know about cancer risk factors and symptoms. Our latest annual survey sampling approximately 4,000 people from around the UK showed that people know little about the lifestyle risks associated with cancer.

Key findings

 

Weight

One key finding from the study is that only three percent of those polled knew that body weight is a factor which influences cancer risk.

3,947 people were asked: “What are the main changes people can make to their lifestyles to reduce the risk of cancer?” Participants, who were not given a list of options to choose from, named the below factors in response.

Smoking 66%
Food and diet 59%
Exercise 29%
Alcohol 20%
Sun and skincare 10%
Bodyweight 3%
Don’t know / nothing 7%

About a third (31%) of people mentioned 3 or more of the above lifestyle changes.

There is more information about weight, diet and cancer on Healthy Living or you can download our leaflet free.

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Signs and symptoms

The survey also showed that people’s awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer is low.

In response to the question “Can you name any sign or symptoms that could be an indication of cancer?” participants, who were not given a list of options to choose from, named these factors in response.

Couldn't name any symptoms or said 'none' Overall : 14% ± 1%; Male: 19% ± 2%; Female: 10% ± 1%; White: 13% ± 1%; Ethnic minority groups: 28% ± 5%
Lump 56% ± 2%
Skin problem 25% ± 1%
Moles 17% ± 1%
Weight loss Male: 16% ± 2%; Female: 22% ± 2%
Bowel, Urinary, or toilet problems 19% ± 1%

 

You can find out more about the signs of cancer on our Spot Cancer Early site.

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Sunburn

The last major finding of the survey was that more than half of sunburn cases last year happened at home in the UK.

Participants were asked “Last summer, did you get sunburnt at all?” 22% of people said yes, (Male 23%, Female 22%) (White 24% Ethnic minority 6%) (36% Male aged 15-24, 35% Female aged 15-24)

Those who said 'yes' to the first question were then asked “Did you get sunburnt in the UK?” and “Did you get sunburnt abroad?”

56% of those with sunburn suffered in the UK, (Male 54%, Female 57%), (White 56%, Ethnic minority 24%) (People aged 15-24 52%, those aged 65+ 61%).

54% of those with sunburn suffered abroad, (Male 56%, Female 52%) (White 54%, Ethnic minority 76%) (People aged 15-24 60%, those aged 65+ 48%).

Just over 10% of people who got sunburnt last summer were sunburnt both in the UK and abroad.

Find out more about sunburn and skin cancer on our SunSmart site.

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