Development and evaluation of cancer literacy indicators for various population groups.

S i g n i f i c a n c e . One of the current areas of anti-cancer control is to increase the cancer literacy of the population. However, there is a lack of data on indicators and the current state of cancer literacy of the population, which makes it difficult to assess and correct it. The purpose of the study is to assess the level of cancer literacy of the urban and rural population of central Russia (on the example of the Ivanovo region). Material and methods. A study was carried out on the territory of the Ivanovo region, the program of which included: expert assessments of significant indicators of cancer literacy of the population, conducting a sociological survey of 2000 respondents, including 1000 residents of cities, 1000 residents of rural areas. Mathematical and statistical data processing was carried out using the Statistica program. Differences between the groups were considered significant at p < 0,05. Results. Experts have identified 10 indicators of cancer literacy of the population, which are divided into 3 categories according to their importance for assessment: critically significant, important, and desirable. The survey showed that a third of the population has a low level of cancer literacy, including for critically significant indicators. Differences in the structure of decline in indicators of cancer literacy of the urban and rural population have been established. It is also determined that in the risk zone for a low level of cancer literacy are such categories of the population as: men, young population, people with a low level of education. Conclusion. The data obtained became the basis for the development of proposals to improve the cancer literacy of the population, including 3 areas: monitoring, the formation of a data bank on groups of the population with a low level of cancer literacy, and the implementation of targeted literacy measures. Scope of application of the results obtained. The data obtained in the course of the study can be used in the practical activities of oncological institutions.