Factors Affecting Cancer Screening Intention and Behavior of the Korean Elderly

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> In this study we investigated factors influencing cancer screening intention and behaviorto develop measures to increase the rate of cancer screening in the Korean elderly. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>:Participants included 425 elderly subjects 65 years of age or older from D city, South Korea. The health behaviorcharacteristics and cancer screening-related and theory of planned behavior (TPB) factors influencing theparticipant attitudes on cancer screening were examined to identify determinants significantly affecting cancerscreening intentions and behavior. <br/><b>Results</b>: Predictive factors influencing cancer screening behavior includedsmoking, exercise, cancer concerns, preference for the type of cancer screening, prior experience with theNational Cancer Screening Program, perception of the National Cancer Screening Program, behavioral controlwith respect to cancer screening and cancer screening intentions. The factors influencing cancer screeningbehavior were different from those for cancer screening intentions. <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Increasing the cancer screeningintentions of the elderly is necessary to raise the rates of cancer screening. Additionally, identifying the inhibitoryfactors that serve as obstacles to cancer screening in the elderly and changing screening intentions into actualscreening behavior is necessary. This study provides a reference for developing and applying policy measuresand intervention strategies to increase the cancer screening rates of the elderly in Korea.