Perception of Selected Risk Factors for Cancer and Heart Attack among Visitors of a Teaching Hospital

Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) are a major contributor to burden of disease in developed countries, and are increasing rapidly in developing countries such as India. Cardiovascular diseases & cancer accounted for 48% and 21% of NCD deaths respectively. There are several risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases & cancer that are modifiable. This study was aimed to assess perception of selected risk factors for cancer and heart attack among visitors of a teaching hospital. This cross-sectional study was carried out during March-June 2011 in a teaching institution of northern India. Randomly 1690 ambulatory adult (>18 years) visitors (patients or attendants) of this hospital were included in the study. Nearly, 64.5% and 82.0% responded that tobacco consumption causes heart attack and cancer respectively while obesity was considered as a risk factor by 68.4% (heart attack) and 28.1% (cancer). Nearly 70.7% reported that diet rich in fat/oil could lead to heart attack but only 23.5% mentioned it for cancer. 54.2% believed cancer is treatable if detected early while 22.5% mentioned cancer cannot be treated at all. This study clearly highlights some of these selected factors and provides opportunity for initiating educational measures to enhance knowledge and remove myths/or misconception.