Ontarians Fear Cancer (70%) the Most Ahead of Heart Disease (59%), Alzheimer's (57%), Diabetes (41%), Multiple Sclerosis (34%), and HIV/AIDS (27%)
When posed with a hypothetical situation in which they have been diagnosed with cancer, more Ontarians fear `feeling sick and unable to do every day things' (82%, 47% a lot/35% somewhat) than `dying and leaving behind ones (77%, 55% a lot/21% somewhat). Following closely behind dying as a result of being diagnosed with cancer, Ontarians also fear `the cancer returning' (76%, 41% a lot/35% somewhat) and `missing out on important life events (72%, 44% a lot/28% somewhat). The table below outlines in full what Ontarians are most fearful of if they were to be diagnosed with cancer:
Interestingly, women in Ontario, in general, fear the potential outcomes of cancer more than men. The largest difference between men and women when it comes to fear among particular outcomes of getting cancer is seen in `telling the people they love' (77% of women vs. 57% of men, a difference of 20 percentage points), `dying and leaving behind loved ones' (85% of women vs. 67% of men, an 18 pt. difference), and `physical changes to their body and appearance' (62% of women vs. 44% of men, an 18 pt. difference). The table below shows the gap between men and women when it comes to fearing outcomes of being diagnosed with cancer:
The data reveal that such exposure to cancer leads to increased levels of fear in the disease. Eight in ten (80%) of Canadians who have been diagnosed with cancer `fear' (40% a lot/40% somewhat) the disease, while two in ten (20%) of those who've had cancer `don't fear' (5% don't fear at all/15% a little) it. Three-quarters of those who've known an immediate family member (75%), member of their extended family (75%), a friend (74%), or work colleague (74%) that's been diagnosed with cancer `fear' the disease, although one-quarter don't. Those who haven't been exposed to the disease are much less likely to fear it. A slight majority (53%) of Canadians who haven't known anyone that's been diagnosed with cancer actually `fear' (25% a lot/28% somewhat) the disease, compared to a slim minority (47%) who `don't fear' (18% don't fear at all/29% a little) cancer, revealing that even those who aren't exposed to the disease still fear it.
Fear of cancer is so prevalent among some Ontarians, that some believe they wouldn't want to know if they were to be diagnosed with the disease. Just over one in ten (13%) Ontarians `would not want to be told they had cancer' if they were diagnosed but there was little ot nothing that could be done to treat it. Conversely, nine in ten (87%) of Ontarians `would want to know' that they had cancer, even if there was nothing that could be done to treat it.
Just because most Ontarians would prefer to know if they had the disease over not knowing, this doesn't mean there aren't barriers many Ontarians deal with when considering getting tested for cancer. Three in ten (28%) say that a barrier for getting screened and tested for cancer is that `they don't like going to the doctor'. One-quarter cite that `their symptoms don't really seem like a big deal' (27%), `they're afraid of what the doctor might find (27%), and the fact that `they're just too busy' (26%) as barriers for getting screened and tested for cancer. Two in ten (17%) `don't want to waste their doctor's time' or `they're too embarrassed' when it comes to getting tested for the disease.
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between October 22nd to 26th, 2012, on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society. For this survey, a sample of 1,017 Ontarians from Ipsos' Ontarian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls are calculated using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to +/- 3.5 percentage point of all Ontarians. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Sean Simpson
Associate Vice President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
416.572.4474
[email protected]
About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.
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About Ipsos
Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world's third largest market research company.
With offices in 84 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.
Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.
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