Abstract
Objective
To investigate how social context and social network activation influence appraisal and help-seeking for symptoms potentially indicative of cancer.
Methods
Semi-structured telephone interview study. Community dwelling adults who had experienced at least one symptom potentially indicative of cancer within the last month were sampled from a national symptom survey.
Results
Thirty-four interviews were conducted. Participants looked to peers and wider society to judge whether symptoms might be normal for their age. Involvement of others in symptom appraisal promoted an active management strategy, such as contacting a healthcare professional or trying a medication. There were practical, emotional, attitudinal, normative and moral barriers to involving others. Cancer narratives from significant others, public health campaigns and the media influenced symptom appraisal. Participants held mental representations of types of people who get cancer, for example, smokers and unfit people. This had two consequences. First, participants did not identify themselves as a candidate for cancer; impeding help-seeking. Second, social judgements about lifestyle introduced stigma.
Conclusion
Involving friends/family in symptom appraisal facilitates help-seeking but barriers exist to involving others. Campaigns to promote earlier cancer diagnosis should incorporate age-appropriate narratives, address misconceptions about ‘types’ of people who get cancer and tackle stigma about lifestyle factors.
To investigate how social context and social network activation influence appraisal and help-seeking for symptoms potentially indicative of cancer.
Methods
Semi-structured telephone interview study. Community dwelling adults who had experienced at least one symptom potentially indicative of cancer within the last month were sampled from a national symptom survey.
Results
Thirty-four interviews were conducted. Participants looked to peers and wider society to judge whether symptoms might be normal for their age. Involvement of others in symptom appraisal promoted an active management strategy, such as contacting a healthcare professional or trying a medication. There were practical, emotional, attitudinal, normative and moral barriers to involving others. Cancer narratives from significant others, public health campaigns and the media influenced symptom appraisal. Participants held mental representations of types of people who get cancer, for example, smokers and unfit people. This had two consequences. First, participants did not identify themselves as a candidate for cancer; impeding help-seeking. Second, social judgements about lifestyle introduced stigma.
Conclusion
Involving friends/family in symptom appraisal facilitates help-seeking but barriers exist to involving others. Campaigns to promote earlier cancer diagnosis should incorporate age-appropriate narratives, address misconceptions about ‘types’ of people who get cancer and tackle stigma about lifestyle factors.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e13640 |
Journal | European Journal of Cancer Care |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 21 Jun 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Cancer Research UK (GrantNumber(s): C45810/A17927)We thank the primary care research networks, practices and members of the public who enabled the study to happen. We are grateful to Professor Sally Wyke, University of Glasgow, for advice relating to the use of the integrated theoretical model.
Data Availability Statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.Keywords
- cancer
- decision making
- early detection of cancer
- health-seeking behaviour
- qualitative research
- social networking