Folks worry more about cancer than heart attack or dementia, a new poll shows Their biggest concern is getting diagnosed too late to be helped Only one thing was more worrisome -- the death of a loved one MONDAY, July 15, 2024 (HealthDay News) — When it comes to health worries, cancer leads the way, a new poll shows. The University of Cambridge poll included 2,000 adults who said their biggest concern is getting diagnosed with cancer when it's too late to treat it. Seven in 10 respondents have that fear, while 52% fret about the impact of a cancer diagnosis on loved ones.
"Cancer affects one in two of us and understandably induces fear in patients and their families," said Richard Gilbertson , director of Cancer Research UK Cambridge Center. "People are worried that treatments won't work or that side effects will be terrible, but also what their diagnosis will mean to their family." Four in 10 respondents worry about getting access to the right treatment and 36% fretted about treatment side effects, the poll showed.
Asked what would make them less fearful of a cancer diagnosis, 6 in 10 said "knowing that the form of cancer I have is treatable." Just over half (51%) said "knowing we are better at catching cancer early enough to treat." "Outcomes can be completely transformed -- better survival and less invasive treatments -- if the cancer is diagnosed early enough," said Rebecca Fitzgerald , director of the Li Ka Shing Early Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge.
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