Proof that it has taken hold in our lives, cancer frightens parents and their children. The survey carried out by OpinionWay (1) on behalf of the League Against Cancer reveals that 74% of adolescents are afraid of the disease, whether for themselves (50%) or for their parents (68%).
Cancer has no age, chants in unison (96%) the younger generation, even if, in fact, reminds AFP, seniors are much more affected. Of the 385,000 new cases each year, 1,700 affect children under 15 and 800 adolescents under 19.
As National Cancer Awareness Week begins, this survey underlines that cancer campaigns must also raise awareness among young people. Moreover, one in two feels ill-informed. Admittedly, they cite tobacco as the primary risk factor (94%) but they still underestimate the impact of lifestyle (diet, physical activity).
Finally, for most of the young people questioned, the disease is a family history. 76% of cancers are, according to them, attributable to genetics, while its weight is minor.
This fear expressed through this survey does not prevent confidence: 8 out of ten teenagers believe that cancer can be cured.
(1) Survey carried out from March 1 to 6 on a sample of 504 young people aged 15 to 18, representative of this population.
