Table 1.

Variables used to assess cancer screening beliefs, behaviors, and intentions

Cancer Screening Belief How effective would you say cancer screening exams are in detecting cancer?

Cancer Screening Behavior Have you ever had a cancer screening exam? Follow-up question if answered No, have you ever had a….mammogram; Pap smear; PSA or prostate test; cancer exam of your mouth?

Cancer Screening Intention How likely are you to agree to have a cancer screening exam at the present time? How likely are you to have each of the following specific types of cancer screening exams for…skin cancer; lung cancer; oral/mouth cancer; stomach cancer; colon cancer; liver cancer; blood cancer; rectal cancer? How likely you would be to participate in a cancer screening exam if it were provided by….your own physician; your own dentist; a university medical school; a university nursing school; the government; a non-profit foundation; a tobacco company; a drug company; an insurance company? How likely are you to participate in a cancer screening exam if you had to do the following…have a physician examine you; have a dentist examine your mouth, head, and neck; have a nurse examine you; be interviewed about your diet; be interviewed about your smoking habits; be interviewed about your alcohol habits; spit some saliva into a small jar; have x-rays taken; have your mouth or skin gently scraped to collect cells; give a sample of blood; have a skin biopsy?