Changing college students' lifestyles in favor of cancer prevention: A case study

This article discribes a case study in the examination of cancer risk reduction behavioral strategies chosen by 272 college students enrolled in the 1987 'How to Avoid Dying from Cancer . . . Now and Later' course. The four most commonly selected cancers chosen by these students - breast, colon/colorectal, skin, and lung cancer - and the corresponding self-reported success of the various strategies are reported. The three most successful strategies were breast self-examination, use of sunscreen lotions, and increased awareness of breast cancer. We concluded that the potential of using behavioral self-contracts to induce lifestyle change in favor of cancer prevention is both cost-effective and practical.