[Knowledge and attitudes related with cancer prevention in a population served at a health center].

Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitudes that patients seen at a health centre had of cancer risk factors and their prevention.
Design: A descriptive crossover study. Non-probabilistic sampling by quota. Survey with questionnaire.
Setting: Rekaldeberri Health Centre (Bilbao).
Participants: 400 people aged between 14 and 74 who attended the Centre for any reason during June and July 1995.
Measurements and Main Results: 276 patients (69%) thought that cancer was preventable. The cancers most often cited as preventable were lung in men and breast in women. 371 (93%) related cancer to tobacco; 372 (93.1%) to sun-bathing without protection; 267 (66.8%) to excess of alcohol. 192 (48%) thought that diet could play a protective role. 339 (84%) thought that early diagnosis was possible: of these, 60.5% cited breast cancer. 222 women (96.7%) knew about mammography; and 166 (79.4%), cytology. In age groups for whom these techniques are appropriate, 32 women (56.1%) had had the first, and 136 (76%) the second. 258 (64.5%) did not smoke; 230 (57.5%) did not drink; 156 (39%) always used protective cream; and 328 (82%) ate fruit and/or vegetables daily or almost daily.
Conclusions: The population group studied had a good understanding of cancer risk factors and prevention.