The majority of Russians believe that all types of cancer are equally difficult to treat, according to Kirill Rodin, Director for Government Relations of the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (WCIOM), who spoke at a RIA Novosti news conference on July 31.
WCIOM found that 56% Russians believe that all types of cancer are equally dangerous and basically terminal, Kirill Rodin noted. Fourteen percent think that blood cancer is most dangerous while 7% think that lung cancer is most resistant to treatment. Russians also believe that stomach cancer, skin cancer, colon cancer and rectal cancer are equally difficult to treat (4% each).
Another 38% of respondents said that due to high cost of medication, lung cancer treatment is unaffordable to most people. Only 17% disagreed. Additionally, it was revealed that 17% fully agree that there is no efficient treatment for lung cancer and 31% say that they rather agree with this opinion but have some doubts.
The overwhelming majority of Russians (67%) believe that poor environmental conditions increase the risk of developing oncological conditions. According to another 36%, other risk factors include smoking and unhealthy diet while 30% blame genetic predisposition. Twenty-three percent believe that consumption of alcohol also increases the chance of cancer.