A cancer education program for business and industry

Includes bibliographical references (pages 49-52)A cancer education program was developed and two pilot programs implemented in two branches in a major department store chain in the Los Angeles area. Attendance was voluntary as was participation in the evaluation of the program. A total of 104 people participated in eight identical sessions which utilized the small-group lecture and discussion method. The program covered in a general rather than specific way skin, lung, colon-rectum, breast, uterine, and oral cancer together with the safeguards and warning signals of cancer. The purpose of this project was two-fold: to reduce cancer mortality rates in the target population by affecting a change in knowledge and behavior, and to develop a cancer education program which could be utilized successfully in similar settings. Statistical evaluation of the program was based on knowledge and behavior criteria. Data were obtained from identical pretest, posttest, and post-posttest paper and pencil questionnaires. The answers for each item on these questionnaires were evaluated with a chi-square test to determine if the differences between the before and after scores were statistically significant. Over-all, comparisons involving mean ratios of correct or desirable responses before and after the program were made. While individual item analysis resulted in some unexpected findings, the overall outcome was not surprising. It was found that the program was to a large extent effective in the augmentation of knowledge but only slightly effective in influencing behavior change. It was possible on the basis of this program to establish guidelines and make recommendations for further study in this field