Centre for Policy on Ageing



A qualitative study of older people's perceptions of skin cancer
Author(s)	Lindsay Wright, Ros Bramwell
Journal title	Health Education Journal, vol 60, no 3, 2001
Pages	pp 256-264
Keywords	Cancer ; Health [elderly] ; Preventative medicine ; Attitude ; Qualitative Studies.
Annotation	The health beliefs of older people in relation to skin cancer were explored in a qualitative study, based on semi-structured interviews, which were carried out in a social centre run by Age Concern for people aged over 55. Ten men and ten women aged between 58 and 87 were interviewed. A qualitative content analysis of the interviews revealed a certain degree of confusion regarding the causes and appearance of skin cancer. Whilst early detection was perceived as "a good thing", there was evidence of a lack of motivation, salience, knowledge of how to carry out skin self-examination, and a low sense of personal susceptibility. In contrast to current health education which emphasises primary prevention and is designed to attract the attention of younger people, it is suggested that health education for skin cancer needs to be targeted specifically at older people, in a way which encourages them to relate to it. (KJ/RH).
Accession Number	CPA-011004201 A
Classmark	CK: CC: LK2: DP: 3DP
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing

...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.