Awareness of environmental carcinogens and cancer risk among Jordanians

Our plain-English summary of Awareness of environmental carcinogens and cancer risk among Jordanians, by W.B. El Gazzar, Q.I. Al-Hashaikeh, B.A. Al Maslooki, et al (The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association, 2024).

The study

• Authors: W.B. El Gazzar, Q.I. Al-Hashaikeh, B.A. Al Maslooki, D.K. Qarout, Y.M. Abdin, M.O. Hamad, Q.A. Al Shuraiqi, B.F. Al-Madi, J.A. Bassiouni, N. Nabil
• Journal: The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association
• Published: 2024;99(1):26
• Cited by: 1 article, as counted by NIH iCite
• Read it: PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

Abstract

Background: In light of the existing body of scientific data, many substances are now recognized or reasonably assumed to be human carcinogens. Public knowledge about modifiable environmental carcinogens is regarded as a crucial first step in primary prevention. This study aimed to assess Jordanians' awareness of some of the recognized environmental human carcinogens and general cancer information.

Methods: This study was conducted using a cross-sectional descriptive survey based on a questionnaire completed by Jordanian participants aged 18 or above. The questions consisted of the following sections: socio-demographic characteristics, questions about the prevalent and non-prevalent cancer types in Jordan and general causes of cancer, closed-ended questions to evaluate knowledge about environmental carcinogens as well as factors that influence the development of cancer, source of knowledge about carcinogens and interest in learning about human carcinogens, and the best way for prevention of cancer.

Results: A total of 579 questionnaires were completed. Among respondents, 55.6% (n = 322) had a knowledge score ≥ 8 indicating good knowledge. However, low awareness was demonstrated regarding cancer-causing substances such as wood dust, Nitrosamines, Aflatoxins, Formaldehyde, Naphthalene, Asbestos, Benzene, and Arsenic. A significant portion of the participants failed to categorize infectious pathogens linked to cancer as variables that either cause cancer or raise the risk of developing cancer.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated a good level of awareness regarding some environmental carcinogens but also highlighted the lack of knowledge about other environmental carcinogens. These findings may provide a guide for future awareness programs by health authorities.

© 2024. The Author(s).

In plain English

The authors ran an online questionnaire survey of Jordanian adults aged 18 or over from January to May 2023, and 579 people completed it. Participants were asked whether each of 19 agents was a risk factor for cancer. The agents were drawn from those the National Toxicology Program lists as known human carcinogens, and asbestos was one of them. Asbestos was identified as a cancer risk factor by 203 of the 579 participants (35.06%). Another 28 (4.84%) answered no, and 348 (60.1%) said they did not know. Recognition was higher for tobacco smoking (95.34%) and lower for wood dust (12.44%). Overall, 322 participants (55.6%) scored 8 or more correct answers, which the authors defined as good knowledge. Scores were significantly higher among single, younger (18 to 27), more educated and higher-income participants, and among those working in the medical field. The authors concluded that knowledge of lesser-known cancer risk factors, including asbestos, needs to be improved. They noted that recruiting people online by convenience sampling limits how far the results can be generalized, and that the sample was relatively small.

We wrote this plain-English summary from the full article with the help of AI, and a second AI model checked each sentence against the article. It is not the authors' wording; the abstract and the article are their own account.

What the study did and found

• Design: Cross-sectional descriptive survey using an anonymous online questionnaire
• Who was studied: 579 Jordanian adults aged 18 or above who completed the online survey, January to May 2023. 69.4% were female, 61.3% lived in Amman and 23.8% worked in the medical field.
• Exposure: No exposure was measured. The study measured knowledge of 19 agents listed by the National Toxicology Program as known human carcinogens, including asbestos, arsenic, benzene, wood dust, radiation, tobacco, alcohol and infectious agents.
• Main results:
  • Asbestos (all 579 participants): 28 (4.84%) said it was not a cancer risk factor, 203 (35.06%) said it was, and 348 (60.1%) did not know.
  • Tobacco smoking was identified as a cancer risk factor by 552 participants (95.34%).
  • Wood dust was identified as a cancer risk factor by 72 participants (12.44%).
  • 322 participants (55.6%) had a knowledge score of 8 or more, defined as good knowledge.
  • Knowledge scores were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) among single participants, those aged 18 to 27, those with higher education or income, and those working in the medical field.
  • There were no significant differences in knowledge scores by sex, region of residence or family history of cancer (p greater than 0.05).
  • 63 participants (10.90%) chose strict workplace regulations to reduce exposure to known carcinogens as the best way to help prevent cancer.
• The authors' conclusion: The authors concluded that knowledge about lesser-known cancer risk factors, including asbestos, needs to be enhanced.
• Limitations the authors state:
  • Participants were recruited through online convenience sampling, which the authors said affects how far the results can be generalized.
  • The authors described the sample size as relatively small.

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