First insights on the validity of the concept of Cancer Literacy: A test in a sample of Ticino (Switzerland) residents

ObjectiveTo develop a measure of Cancer Literacy and have a first insight into the validity of the concept.MethodsA measure of Cancer Literacy was developed and administered to a sample of Ticino (Switzerland) residents (N = 639). Internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity of the measure were assessed.ResultsThe Cancer Literacy Score (CLS) showed acceptable internal consistency and 4-week test-retest reliability. Independent-samples t-tests and one-way ANOVAs confirmed that women, Swiss citizens, people with higher educational levels, people with a medical qualification, and people who had played an active role in the cancer experience of a family member or a friend presented significantly higher CLS. Correlational analyses indicated a more positive attitude towards screening participation and engagement in health-promoting behaviours in people with higher levels of Cancer Literacy.Conclusions and practice implicationsThe Cancer Literacy scale provides us with evidence of the validity of our conceptual attempt to go in the direction of a context- and content-specific concept of health literacy. Despite some limitations and the need for further refinement before it can be applied on a larger scale, the scale already offers Ticino researchers and public health workers a comprehensive measure of cancer knowledge.