Comparison of Cancer-specific and General Health Literacy Assessments in an Educated Population: Correlations and Modifying Factors

An information onslaught accompanies cancer diagnoses, but patient comprehension (health literacy; HL) is frequently low, impacting both immediate care and longer term follow-up. Knowledge and adoption of preventive measures is especially important for cancer survivors due to their increased risk of secondary malignant neoplasms. We sought to evaluate the Test of Functional Health Literacy Adult (S-TOFHLA) against the recently developed cancer-specific Cancer Message Literacy Test (CMLT-r) among an educated population of both cancer survivors and those cancer-free. Participants were recruited 2013 (May through December) from various units within a local hospital and from several local churches, and each completed the S-TOFHLA and CMLT-r and provided demographic information and cancer status. The 109 participants had a mean age of 58 years and were as follows: 65.1 % female; 92.7 % white, 50.4 % college graduates, and 41.3 % cancer survivors. S-TOFHLA scores ranged from 12–36 (mean 34.1) and non-significantly varied by gender, education, cancer status, and age. CMLT-r scores ranged from 28.6–100 % (mean 86.4 %) and significantly varied by education (p = 0.013), but not by gender, cancer status, or age. Overall, CMLT-r and S-TOFHLA significantly correlated (p < 0.001). Assessment scores were skewed towards the maximum with non-significant differences by cancer status. As cancer survivorship improves and as the population becomes more educated, more refined approaches to assess health literacy should be considered. Increased education does not imply increased health literacy, and cancer survivorship does not imply higher health or cancer literacy. Concerted efforts to improve patient understanding and implementation of preventive measures are imperative.