Smith, S;
Beard, EV;
McGowan, J;
Fox, E;
Cook, C;
Pal, R;
Waller, J;
(2018)
Development of a tool to assess beliefs about mythical causes of cancer: the Cancer Awareness Measure Mythical Causes Scale.
BMJ Open
, 8
, Article e022825. 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022825.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop a reliable and valid measure to assess public beliefs in mythical causes of cancer: the Cancer Awareness Measure - MYthical Causes Scale (CAM-MYCS). // DESIGN AND SETTING: Cancer myth items were generated from a literature review, social media and interviews (n=16). The CAM-MYCS was prepared by reducing items using a) an online sample (n=527) with exploratory factor analysis and b) cancer experts with DELPHI methodology (n=13). To assess test-retest reliability and sensitivity to change, students (n=91) completed the CAM-MYCS at baseline and 1-week after exposure to information on lifestyle-related cancer causes or control information. Construct validity was tested by comparing CAM-MYCS scores between cancer experts (n=25) and students (n=91). Factor structure and internal reliability were investigated in a national sample (n=1993). // RESULTS: Out of 42 items generated, 12 were retained based on factor loadings, prevalence of endorsement, and expert consensus. CAM-MYCS scores improved (fewer myths endorsed) among students exposed to information on cancer causes compared with the control group (p<0.001) and showed high test–retest reliability (r=0.90, p<0.001). Cancer experts reported higher CAM-MYCS scores (fewer myths endorsed) than students (p<0.001). The factor structure of the CAM-MYCS was confirmed in the national sample and internal reliability was high (α=0.86). Inclusion of the CAMMYCS alongside items assessing knowledge of actual cancer causes did not affect responses. // CONCLUSIONS: The CAM-MYCS tool is a reliable and valid tool assessing beliefs in mythical causes of cancer, and it can be used alongside items assessing known causes of cancer.
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