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From a population of 117 adult residents of Elkland Borough formerly interviewed in August 1974, 72 cases were chosen. Of these, 57 persons (43 women and 14 men) were reinterviewed in March 1976 as to their behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes related to preventing cancer and coronary heart disease. The age and sex of those interviewed were compared to those of the actual population as reported in the 1970 population census. The age ratio of the sample was found to be very similar to that of the actual population. Each respondent was asked 117 questions pertaining to: the seriousness and susceptibility of the disease, early detection, their knowledge about the disease, high blood pressure, dietary and weight control practices, regular health maintenance practices, and medical services. Each person rated five selected diseases regarding their seriousness and susceptibility. Findings included: 76% regarded cancer and 81% regarded heart disease as serious enough to require changes in their present life; 25% felt they were likely to have heart disease; 36% believed they were likely to have cancer; 21% of those interviewed in 1976 could name 1 or none of the 7 cancer signs as compared to 29% in 1974; 54% of the women and 14% of the men reported never or occasionally observing dietary rules; and 41 persons named exercise and/or dieting as preventive health measures that they practiced. (NQ)

In July and August 1975, 138 rural residents of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania were interviewed as to their behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes regarding the prevention of cancer and coronary heart disease. Respondents were selected by interviewing an adult living on a commercial farm (a farm that either sold $10,000 or more produce per year or the operator worked more than half time on the farm), and then interviewing an adult in the rural nonfarm residence closest to that commercial farm. Interviews were conducted with 71 farm residents and 67 nonfarm residents. Each respondent was asked 167 questions pertaining to: the seriousness and susceptibility of the disease, early detection, their knowledge about the disease, high blood pressure, diet and weight control practices, and medical services. Each person rated eight selected diseases as to their seriousness and susceptibility. Findings included: cancer was felt to be the most serious illness with heart disease ranking second; 29% felt they were likely to have heart disease; 27% perceived themselves as likely to have cancer; 35% could name either 1 or none of the 7 cancer signs; 87% had had their blood pressure checked within the past 18 months; and 66% felt that it was easy to get an appointment with a doctor for a complete physical examination. (NQ)

In July and August 1975, 17 men and 63 women living in rural areas in Butler County, Pennsylvania were interviewed as to their behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes related to preventing cancer and coronary heart disease. Respondents represented about 12% of all adults living on commercial farms and 5% of all rural nonfarm adults in the county. A commercial farm was one that "either sold $10,000 or more produce per year or the operator worked more than half time on the farm". During the interview, each respondent was asked 167 questions pertaining to: the seriousness and susceptibility of the disease, early detection, their knowledge about the disease, high blood pressure, dietary and weight control practices, and medical services. Each person rated eight selected diseases as to their seriousness and susceptibility. Findings included: cancer, heart disease, glaucoma, and emphysema were perceived to be serious, with cancer being the most serious; 27% felt they were likely to have heart disease; 30% believed themselves likely to have cancer; 3 out of 10 persons could name either 1 or none of the 7 cancer signs; 1/3 of the farm men and women reported never or only occasionally consciously observing dietary rules; and 92% indicated a willingness to consider treatment by allied health personnel. (NQ)