Title : Examining the impact of lifestyle factors, gender and self-perceived health on cancer worry among young adults with no history of cancer
Abstract:
Cancer worry is increasingly becoming a significant psychological issue, especially among the younger population, due to increasing awareness of cancer risks and media coverage that amplifies anxiety. This paper investigates the relationship between cancer worry and lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking, and stress, and further explores gender differences. Using a correlational design with a dataset of 300 respondents, the analysis reveals that stress is the most important predictor of cancer worry; higher levels of stress are associated with more anxiety about cancer. Surprisingly, smoking was negatively associated with cancer worry, possibly indicating avoidance behaviours. Males had slightly higher scores of cancer worry than females, thus partially contradicting traditional gender assumptions. These findings outline the complex interplay between psychological and behavioural factors influencing cancer anxiety. This study contributes to an understanding of cancer worry in young adults and suggests important implications for public health interventions, including stress management programs and gender-sensitive approaches to reduce anxiety and promote well-being among at-risk populations.
KEYWORDS: Cancer worry, lifestyle factors, stress, exercise, smoking, gender differences, psychological factors, behavioural factors, cancer-related anxiety, public health interventions, young adults.
