What Is Science Awareness?
Because little has been known about
how much cancer patients and members of the public know and understand about
cancer research and the major impact it has upon them, the National Cancer
Institute (NCI) pulled together small groups of people in four cities across
the country and asked them. These "focus groups" revealed that
the public often feels confused about cancer news in general and cancer
research in particular. Based on this information, NCI developed the Science
Awareness Program to help minimize the confusion among the public and cancer
patients about cancer research. This new communications initiative is focused
on increasing the public's understanding of how cancer research has saved
lives and contributes to an improved quality of life for cancer patients.
Some key findings of these groups are illustrated in the following charts.