This document presents the results of a survey about knowledge of lung cancer. 250 female respondents aged 21-30 were asked questions about causes, symptoms, prevention and stages of lung cancer. The analysis found that most respondents correctly identified smoking as the leading cause, with air pollution as the second most common cause. The majority believed quitting smoking after diagnosis can help treatment. While knowledge of types and stages was mostly accurate, awareness of lung cancer as a leading cause of death and the Lung Cancer Awareness Month could be improved. The results provide insight into societal understanding of lung cancer risks.
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FOUNDATION IN NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENTS
MATHEMATICS [MTH10304]
STATISTIC SURVEY PROJECT
GROUP MEMBERS:
Pang Khai Shuen 0318423
Koh Sung Jie 0318912
Mok Po Yi 0318207
Hew Li Ming 0319941
Chong Ke Qun 0319214
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Introduction
Our survey is focused on a very common chronic disease called Pulmonary
Carcinoma, which is commonly known as lung cancer. Lung cancer is developed
when abnormal cells achieved uncontrolled growth in one or both lungs. These
abnormal cells do not carry out the functions of normal lung cells and do not
develop into healthy lung tissue. As they grow, these abnormal cells can form
tumors and interfere with the function of the lung, which is to provide oxygen to
the body via the blood.
Even though lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in both
men and women worldwide, not much people know about some hard facts about it.
In this survey, we had prepared some questions regarding lung cancer, such as the
symptoms of lung cancer, causes of lung cancer and the stages of lung cancer. We
also included some facts that are not commonly known about lung cancer like the
life expectancy of the final stage of lung cancer and the Lung Awareness Month.
What we want to learn through this survey is the knowledge of females of a
certain gender and age towards lung cancer, and then analyze the ratio of the
answers from our respondents so that we can learn how much the society
understands about the dangers of lung cancer.
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OBJECTIVES
We have chosen to focus on female respondents for our survey question. Our
objectives of the survey are first, to test the knowledge of young female adults
about lung cancer, as people often misunderstand the causes and symptoms of lung
cancer. Next, we are to analyze the difference in people’s views of lung cancer
causes and symptoms, as some people look at lung cancer as a result of smoking
and some as a result of inheritance. Furthermore, we are to get an accurate result
from different people as we have a minimum of 250 targets. This way, we could
create a fair statistic to compare the results. Lastly, we are to complete everything
and then come to a conclusion of the survey.
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METHODOLOGY
Since we were targeting 250 female young adults for the survey, each of us
were responsible to survey 50 female respondents each, and for a fair result each of
us surveyed 25 females of aged 21 to 25 and the rest aged 26 to 30.
We used two ways to survey the respondents. One, we used the conventional
survey forms and distributed them when we see a potential respondent.
Also, we utilized Google Docs to make digital a survey page so that we can
send the forms efficiently via social medias such as Facebook and Twitter. Our
respondents include family members, relatives, friends, strangers, students and
staffs in Taylors’ University. We spent 2 weeks of surveying from 17th
of
December to 31th
of December, and then gathered the information together to do
the statistics analysis.
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After gathering all the completed survey forms, each of us analyze our own
50 forms and then gathered all the information together to make our statistics
analysis for this report. We first discuss with each other about the calculations
needed and the appropriate diagrams to portray the information, and we transfer all
the information into the report.
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Survey Questionnaire
1. What is your age group?
a. 21 – 25
b. 26 – 30
2. What is your gender?
a. Male
b. Female
3. What is your occupation?
a. Student
b. Non-student
4. What are the direct causes of lung cancer? (Can be more than one answer)
a. Smoking
b. Asbestos
c. Radon Gas
d. Air Pollution
e. Inheritance
f. Pervious diseases
g. Others: _____________
5. Which factor is the leading cause of lung cancer?
a. Air Pollution
b. Tobacco
6. What is the 2nd
most common cause of lung cancer?
a. Radon Gas
b. Air Pollution
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7. If diagnosed with lung cancer, is quitting smoking pointless?
a. Yes
b. No
8. How many types of lung cancers are there?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
9. How many stages of lung cancer are there?
a. 1 – 2
b. 2 – 4
c. 4 – 6
10.What are the ways to prevent lung cancer?
a. Eat fruits and vegetables
b. Do not smoke
c. Do more exercise
d. Others: ____________________
11.What is the common life expectancy once diagnosed with the final stage of
lung cancer?
a. 5 Years
b. 7 Years
c. 10 Years
12.Do you have any close friends/relatives diagnosed with lung cancer?
a. Yes
b. No
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13.What are the symptoms of lung cancer?
a. Pain in the chest
b. Headache
c. Coughing up blood
d. Mood Swing
14.Is lung cancer the leading cause of cancer deaths?
a. Yes
b. No
15.Which month is the Lung Cancer Awareness Month? __________________
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Statistics Analysis
4. What are the direct causes of lung cancer?
Answer: Smoking, Asbestos, Radon Gas, Air Pollution, Inheritance and Previous diseases.
(Purpose of multiple answers is to analyse the extent of knowledge of lung cancer causes.)
- Smoking is the main cause. Tobacco smoke contains more than 60 different toxic substances,
which can lead to the development of cancer. These substances are known to be carcinogenic
(cancer-producing).
- Asbestos. Exposure to asbestos in the construction industry and shipbuilding cause lung
cancer for workers
- Radon gas is the biggest cause of lung cancer after smoking as Radon gas is a naturally
occurring radioactive gas which comes from tiny amounts of uranium which cause lung
cancer.
- Air pollution. One study has shown that your risk of developing lung cancer increases by
about a third if you live in an area with high levels of nitrogen oxide gases (mostly produced
by cars and other vehicles).
- Inheritance. Because there is a pattern of increased risk of lung cancer in family members,
researchers think it is likely that there is at least one faulty gene that can increase the risk of
lung cancer and be passed down in families (inherited).
- Previous disease. Having had a disease that caused scarring in the lungs may be a risk factor
for a type of lung cancer called adenocarcinoma of the lung.
Mode: Smoking
41%
25%
13%
10%
7%
4%
Causes of Lung Cancer (21-25)
Smoking
Air Pollution
Radon Gas
Inheritance
Asbestos
Previous disease
42%
21%
15%
12%
5%
5%
Causes of Lung Cancer (26-30)
Smoking
Air Pollution
Radon Gas
Inheritance
Asbestos
Previous disease
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78%
22%
Leading factor (26-30)
Tobacco
Air pollution
57%
43%
Second most common factor (26-30)
Air pollution
Radon gas
5. Which factor is the leading cause of cancer?
Answer: Tobacco.
Lung Cancer Research UK states that, by far the biggest cause of lung cancer is smoking. It
causes more than 8 out of 10 cases (86%) including a small proportion caused by exposure to
second hand smoke in non smokers (passive smoking).
Mode: Tobacco
6. What is the 2nd
most common cause of lung cancer?
Answer: Radon Gas.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the second leading cause of lung
cancer, after tobacco smoke, is an odorless radioactive gas called radon. Emitted from rock
and soil, it can seep up into homes and other buildings. Radon is estimated to cause between 3
and 14% of all lung cancers, depending on the average radon level in the country. Radon is
much more likely to cause lung cancer in people who smoke, and is the primary cause of lung
cancer among non-smokers.
Mode in 21-25: Radon gas
Mode in 26-30: Air pollution
82%
18%
Leading Factor (21-25)
Tobacco
Air pollution
49%
51%
Second most common factor (21-25)
Air
pollution
Radon
Gas
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38%
62%
Is quiting smoking pointless ?
(26-30)
Yes
No
13%
28%
36%
23%
Types of lung cancer (26-30)
1
2
3
4
7. If diagnosed with lung cancer, is quitting smoking pointless?
Answer: No.
Continued smoking decreases the effectiveness of cancer treatment and may make side effects
worse. Smokers undergoing surgery, for example, have more trouble healing than ex-smokers.
Those who smoke while undergoing radiation for cancer of the larynx are less likely to regain
normal voice quality. In some cases, quitting can cut the risk of a second cancer forming.
Mode: No
8. How many types of lung cancers are there?
Answer: 2
There are two main types of lung cancer. Small-cell lung cancer is more aggressive, meaning it
can spread quickly to other parts of the body early in the disease. It is strongly tied to cigarette
use and rarely seen in nonsmokers. Non-small-cell lung cancer grows more slowly and is more
common. It's responsible for almost 85% of all lung cancers.
Mode: 3
46%
54%
Is quiting smoking pointless ?
(21-25)
Yes
No
13%
29%
34%
24%
Types of lung cancer (21-25)
1
2
3
4
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21%
65%
14%
Stages of lung cancer (26-30)
1 to 2
2 to 4
4 to 6
9. How many stages of lung cancer are there?
Answer: 2-4
There are different systems for the two main types of lung cancer. Small-cell lung cancer is
divided into two stages: "Limited" means the cancer is confined to one lung and maybe nearby
lymph nodes. "Extensive" means the cancer has spread to the other lung or beyond. Non-small-
cell lung cancer is assigned a stage of 1 through 4, depending on how far it has spread.
Mode: 2-4
20%
70%
10%
Stages of lung cancer (21-25)
1 to 2
2 to 4
4 to 6
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53%30%
17%
Ways to prevent lung cancer
(26-30)
Do not smoke
Do more
exercise
Eat more fruits
and vegetables
10. What are the ways to prevent lung cancer?
Answer: Either one.
(Purpose of the question is to see different opinions of which respondents’ favors more.)
- Eat fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruit and vegetables may help to prevent cancer because they
contain chemicals that can prevent cell damage. The antioxidant vitamins A, C and E were
thought to help reduce the risk of lung cancer
- Do not smoke. Within 10 years of quitting, the risk of lung cancer will drop 30% to 50%.
- Do more exercise. Regular physical activity may reduce the risk of lung cancer by 20% or
more, studies show. In addition, exercise improves lung function and reduces the danger of
other diseases, including heart disease and stroke.
Mode: Do not smoke
57%
33%
10%
Ways to prevent lung cancer
(21-25)
Do not smoke
Do more
exercise
Eat more fruits
and vegetables
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63%
22%
15%
Common life expectancy (26-30)
5 years
7 years
10 years
22%
78%
Close person suffered from lung
cancer (26-30)
Yes
No
11. What is common life expectancy once diagnosed with the final stage of
lung cancer?
Answer: 5 years
Those statistics show the chances of living for 5 years after a lung cancer diagnosis varies from
4% to 54%, depending on the stage of disease. The 5-year survival rate continues to rise over
time, research shows.
Mode: 5 years
12. Do you have any close friends/relatives diagnosed with lung cancer?
Answer: Depending on the respondent.
The purpose of this question is to see among the public, how many of our respondents are
affected by this disease through their loved ones. The results let us know that whether lung
cancer is common in Malaysia through our respondents.
Mode: No
59%
28%
13%
Common life expectancy (21-25)
5 years
7 years
10 years
26%
74%
Close person suffered from lung
cancer (21-25)
Yes
No
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50%
33%
8%
9%
Symptoms of lung cancer (26-30)
Coughing up
blood
Pain in the
chest
Headache
Mood swing
13. What are the symptoms of lung cancer?
Answer: Pain in the chest, coughing up blood.
(Purpose of 2 answers is to provide a 50-50 chance for correct answer as well as analyzing
preferred opinions.)
Both pain in the chest and coughing up blood are both early warning signs that a person is
diagnosed with lung cancer. When lung cancer causes chest pain, the discomfort may result from
enlarged lymph nodes or metastasis to the chest wall, pleura (lining around the lungs), or the
ribs. Blood that comes up with a cough often looks bubbly because it is mixed with air and
mucus. It is usually bright red, although it may be rust-colored. Sometimes the mucus contains
only streaks of blood.
Mode: Coughing up blood
48%
33%
10%
9%
Symptoms of Lung Cancer (21-25)
Coughing up
blood
Pain in the
chest
Headache
Mood swing
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68%
32%
Lung cancer a leading cause?
(26-30)
Yes
No
14. Is lung cancer the leading cause of cancer deaths?
Answer: Yes
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. This is verified by World Health
Organization (WHO) as well as Cancer Research UK. According to Cancer Research UK, on
2012, lung cancer contributes to 19% of cancer deaths worldwide.
Mode: Yes
96%
4%
Lung cancer a leading cause?
(21-25)
Yes
No
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39%
19%
7%
7%
8%
20%
Month (26-30)
November
December
September
March
August
Don't know
15. Which month is the Lung Cancer Awareness Month?
Answer: November
During the month, many people throughout the country and the world come together for the lung
cancer community. Events are held. Articles are written. Facebook statuses are updated. Videos
are created and spread online. Proclamations are issued.
Mode 21-25: Don’t know
Mode 26-30: November
15%
9%
9%
3%
6%
20%
38%
Month (21-25)
November
December
March
July
June
Other
Don’t Know
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Conclusion
In conclusion, we have acquired enough information to understand the
society’s level of understanding of lung cancer.
The mode for direct causes of lung cancer is smoking and air pollution
comes second. This means most of our respondents know that smoking is the main
cause of lung cancer and question 5 reinforces that fact by stating tobacco as the
mode for leading cause of lung cancer. As for which factor is second most
common for lung cancer both age groups have varied opinions. The 21-25 years
age group has the knowledge that Radon gas is second leading cause by a small
margin of 51%. However the mode for the 26-30 years age group is air pollution.
The frequency of quitting smoking is not pointless if diagnosed with cancer is
higher for both age groups. We tested the understanding level of the respondents
by asking the number of types of lung cancer, the mode was 3 but in fact the
correct answer is 2. We also asked them how many stages of lung cancer there are
and the mode of it is 2-4, which is correct. Majority of the answers for the
prevention of lung cancer is by not smoking, suggested by the mode of the
respondents. Most common life expectancy of a final stage lung cancer patient
answered by most of our respondents is correct as the mode is 5 years.
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We wanted to find out how many people are affected by the effects of lung
cancer and around 25% which is 1 in 4 of our respondents has a close person
diagnosed with lung cancer. This really shows how common lung cancer is.
From the question regarding the symptoms of lung cancer, the respondents
recognize coughing up blood as a symptom more than pain in the chest as the
mode from both groups is coughing up blood. The mode of whether that lung
cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths is yes but it varies between the two
groups. Almost all the respondents in 21-25 year old group agrees while only 68%
of the 26-30 year old group agrees.
Lastly, we wanted to know how many people know about Lung Cancer
Awareness month and more 26-30 year olds know about it than the 21-25 year
olds. This is because the mode for the 21-25 age group is don’t know, but for the
26-30 age group is November, which is accurate.