Cancer - A Public Priority?

Findings from an Ipsos survey on behalf Cancerbackup are unambiguous in showing that cancer is a key public priority, both in absolute terms, and compared with other illnesses and diseases. Cancer has remained the top national health priority among the general public since 2003 [note 1], and its importance as a health concern overshadows public concern for other illnesses and diseases. The question asked the public, without any prompting, which, if any, illness or diseases they think should be a national health priority.

Findings from an Ipsos survey on behalf Cancerbackup are unambiguous in showing that cancer is a key public priority, both in absolute terms, and compared with other illnesses and diseases. Cancer has remained the top national health priority among the general public since 2003 [note 1], and its importance as a health concern overshadows public concern for other illnesses and diseases. The question asked the public, without any prompting, which, if any, illness or diseases they think should be a national health priority.

Whilst health care issues are consistently at the forefront of people's minds, and have been for decades [note 2], there has recently been notable media coverage relating to disparities in the provision of life-prolonging drugs for cancer, so-called 'postcode prescribing' of cancer treatment drugs such as Herceptin, and reports of cancer therapy being denied to patients on the grounds of cost [note 3], which may or may not have influenced the survey findings.

In particular, this may have had an impact on the strong feeling found among the general public in relation to equity of health care -- that everyone should be entitled to the same standard of cancer care regardless of: where they live, age, gender or socio-demographic factors.

Survey findings highlight a notable difference in perceptions between people diagnosed with cancer and the public in general, with people who have been diagnosed with cancer in the last five years, and therefore more likely to have experienced NHS cancer care first hand, rating the overall standard of care much higher and having greater confidence in their local hospital, their GP and the NHS with regard to cancer care.

Notes

  1. MORI asked an identical question for Cancerbackup in October 2003.
  2. See the MORI Political Monitor Long Term Trends for 'The Most / Other Important Issues Facing Britain Today'
  3. See for example 'Court to rule in Herceptin battle' (BBC News website)

Technical details

Ipsos interviewed a representative total sample of 5,994 adults aged 15+ in 415 sampling points across Great Britain. Fieldwork was conducted between 28 July and 17 August 2006. Interviews were carried out face-to-face, in home, using CAPI, as part of the Ipsos Capibus.

Related news