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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC 4.0Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP

Awareness of Cancer Among Japanese Junior and Senior High School Students and Relevant Factors

  • Yoko Minamiguchi1
  • Kumi Suzuki1
  • Yasuhiro Tsuda1
  • Yuko Tomari1
  • Ikue Shino2
  • Masako Yamanaka3
  • Naoko Hayashi4
  • Eiko Yamauchi5
  • Akiko Fukawa6
  • Tomoki Doi1
  • Yasuhito Fujisaka7
7 affiliations
  1. 1Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Faculty of Nursing, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan.
  2. 2Yodogawa Christian Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
  3. 3Faculty of Health Care, Tenri, Nara, Japan.
  4. 4St. Luke’s International University, Graduate School of Nursing Science, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
  5. 5Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan.
  6. 6Hyogo Medical University, Faculty of Nursing, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
  7. 7Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Faculty of Medicine, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan.
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Abstract

Objective:: The purpose of this study was to clarify cancer awareness among Japanese youths, identify relevant factors, and gain insight into effective educational interventions to prevent cancer and promote early detection in youths.

Methods:: We conducted an anonymous, fact-finding questionnaire survey via the Internet, covering three modules of the Cancer Awareness Measure (cancer risk factors, cancer warning signs, and barriers to help-seeking), along with individual and environmental factors. Descriptive statistics were generated, and chi-squared tests and logistic regression analyses were performed to clarify the associations between cancer awareness and individual and environmental factors.

Results:: In total, 612 junior and senior high school students were enrolled. The median (interquartile range) total score was 7 (4–10) for cancer risk factors, 0 (0–5) for cancer warning signs, and 4 (2–7) for barriers to help-seeking. Less than half of the students correctly recognized risk factors specific to cancer, such as human papillomavirus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus infections. As for barriers to help-seeking, many students pointed to emotional barriers such as fear (62.9%). Other major barriers to help-seeking were female gender (odds ratio [OR]=2.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.73, 4.53, p < 0.001), conversations with parents about cancer (OR=2.28, 95% CI: 1.28, 4.08, p = 0.005), and awareness of cancer warning signs (OR=1.04, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.81, p = 0.003).

Conclusion:: Japanese adolescents do not have sufficient awareness of cancer. In cancer education, it is necessary to clearly highlight cancer-specific risk factors and warning signs in an easy-to-understand manner, explain the importance of early detection, and consider the content of cancer-related conversations between children and parents.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{minamiguchi2026awareness,
  title = {{Awareness of Cancer Among Japanese Junior and Senior High School Students and Relevant Factors}},
  author = {Yoko Minamiguchi and Kumi Suzuki and Yasuhiro Tsuda and Yuko Tomari and Ikue Shino and Masako Yamanaka and Naoko Hayashi and Eiko Yamauchi and Akiko Fukawa and Tomoki Doi and Yasuhito Fujisaka},
  journal = {Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2345},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2345},
  note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Awareness of Cancer Among Japanese Junior and Senior High School Students and Relevant Factors
AU  - Yoko Minamiguchi
AU  - Kumi Suzuki
AU  - Yasuhiro Tsuda
AU  - Yuko Tomari
AU  - Ikue Shino
AU  - Masako Yamanaka
AU  - Naoko Hayashi
AU  - Eiko Yamauchi
AU  - Akiko Fukawa
AU  - Tomoki Doi
AU  - Yasuhito Fujisaka
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/28
JO  - Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP
DO  - 10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2345
UR  - https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2345
AB  - Objective:: The purpose of this study was to clarify cancer awareness among Japanese youths, identify relevant factors, and gain insight into effective educational interventions to prevent cancer and promote early detection in youths.  Methods:: We conducted an anonymous, fact-finding questionnaire survey via the Internet, covering three modules of the Cancer Awareness Measure (cancer risk factors, cancer warning signs, and barriers to help-seeking), along with individual and environmental factors. Descriptive statistics were generated, and chi-squared tests and logistic regression analyses were performed to clarify the associations between cancer awareness and individual and environmental factors.  Results:: In total, 612 junior and senior high school students were enrolled. The median (interquartile range) total score was 7 (4–10) for cancer risk factors, 0 (0–5) for cancer warning signs, and 4 (2–7) for barriers to help-seeking. Less than half of the students correctly recognized risk factors specific to cancer, such as human papillomavirus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus infections. As for barriers to help-seeking, many students pointed to emotional barriers such as fear (62.9%). Other major barriers to help-seeking were female gender (odds ratio [OR]=2.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.73, 4.53, p < 0.001), conversations with parents about cancer (OR=2.28, 95% CI: 1.28, 4.08, p = 0.005), and awareness of cancer warning signs (OR=1.04, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.81, p = 0.003).  Conclusion:: Japanese adolescents do not have sufficient awareness of cancer. In cancer education, it is necessary to clearly highlight cancer-specific risk factors and warning signs in an easy-to-understand manner, explain the importance of early detection, and consider the content of cancer-related conversations between children and parents.
SN  - 1513-7368
SN  - 2476-762X
ER  -