Transcultural adaptation and validation of the Chinese version of the cervical cancer awareness measure

Background Cervical cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in women globally. The creation of cervical cancer awareness are important determinants of participation in cervical cancer screening, prevention and control and contribute towards reducing delayed presentation and mortality from the disease. However, there is no reliable, valid and mature questionnaire in China. The aim of this study is to evaluate the content validity and psychometric properties of Cervical Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM-C) in Chinese female population.Methods This psychometric evaluation study enrolled 415 general women and 275 clinical/medical experts and was conducted in 2 stages: translation and evaluation of content validity and psychometric evaluation. Cognitive interviews (n = 10) were conducted using the Participant Interview Form. The psychometric evaluation (n = 690) included score distribution, homogeneity (interitem and item-total correlations), internal consistency (Cronbach’s α), construct validity, and test-retest reliability.Results The content validity supported by cognitive interview was excellent and psychometric properties of CAM-C were satisfactory. The internal consistency of subscale of CAM-C were acceptable, with a range between 0.86 and 0.92. The test-retest reliability was good, that ICC coefficients for the total score of warning signs subscale, risk factors subscale, and knowledge score subscale varied between 0.78 and 0.84. There were significant differences between the groups of general women and medical/clinical experts in subscales of knowledge, warning signs and risk factors (p<0.001), which supports construct validity.Conclusions The results provide evidence for the validity and reliability of CAM-C in a sample of female Chinese population. The Chinese version of the CAM-C was a valid instrument to assess and monitor awareness level in the various mode of collecting data (e.g., paper-pencil methods, computer/telephone-assisted interviewing, or self-administered methods), and could be used to evaluate the effects of interventional programme on awareness among Chinese female population.

Fatores ambientais e conscientização sobre o câncer colorretal em pessoas com risco familiar

Objetivo identificar a associação entre os fatores de risco ambientais e a conscientização sobre o câncer colorretal em pessoas com risco familiar. Método estudo correlacional de corte transversal, cuja amostra foi constituída por pessoas que cumpriam pelo menos um dos critérios de Bethesda Revisados, sendo 80 participantes incluídos no estudo. Foram utilizados uma ficha com dados sociodemográficos, o Teste AUDIT para o consumo de álcool, o Teste de Fagerström para o tabagismo, a escala de Estimativa e Consumo de Alimentos, e o questionário Cancer Awareness Measure para avaliar a conscientização sobre o câncer colorretal. O índice de massa corporal foi calculado, e estatísticas descritivas e o Coeficiente de Correlação de Pearson foram usados para estimar a associação. Resultados o sexo feminino foi o mais prevalente, com média de idade de 37,8 anos, quase metade dos participantes apresentava sobrepeso, 45% apresentavam sintomas de dependência de álcool, metade da amostra teve o fator hereditário relacionado com o desenvolvimento de câncer colorretal, e menos da metade conhecia programas preventivos deste câncer. Conclusão há pouca informação sobre os principais fatores de risco ambientais, sinais e sintomas do câncer colorretal, e nenhuma associação significativa foi encontrada entre eles e conscientização sobre o câncer colorretal.

Development of a tool to assess beliefs about mythical causes of cancer: the Cancer Awareness Measure Mythical Causes Scale

ObjectivesWe aimed to develop a reliable and valid measure to assess public beliefs in mythical causes of cancer: the Cancer Awareness Measure–MYthical Causes Scale (CAM-MYCS).Design and settingCancer myth items were generated from a literature review, social media and interviews (n=16). The CAM-MYCS was prepared by reducing items using (a) an online sample (n=527) with exploratory factor analysis and (b) cancer experts with Delhpi methodology (n=13). To assess test–retest reliability and sensitivity to change, students (n=91) completed the CAM-MYCS at baseline and 1 week after exposure to information on lifestyle-related cancer causes or control information. Construct validity was tested by comparing CAM-MYCS scores between cancer experts (n=25) and students (n=91). Factor structure and internal reliability were investigated in a national sample (n=1993).ResultsOut of 42 items generated, 12 were retained based on factor loadings, prevalence of endorsement and expert consensus. CAM-MYCS scores improved (fewer myths endorsed) among students exposed to information on cancer causes compared with the control group (p<0.001) and showed high test–retest reliability (r=0.90, p<0.001). Cancer experts reported higher CAM-MYCS scores (fewer myths endorsed) than students (p<0.001). The factor structure of the CAM-MYCS was confirmed in the national sample and internal reliability was high (α=0.86). Inclusion of the CAM-MYCS alongside items assessing knowledge of actual cancer causes did not affect responses.ConclusionsThe CAM-MYCS tool is a reliable and valid tool assessing beliefs in mythical causes of cancer, and it can be used alongside items assessing known causes of cancer.