Public and professional aspects of the use of education in the control and prevention of cancer.

Studies of educational programs designed to encourage (i) regular systematic breast self-examination and (ii) participation in cervical screening programs demonstrate the necessity for precision in defining and evaluating cancer education aims and methods. Preteaching and postteaching and one-year follow-up data from both studies compare the immediate and longer-term effects of teaching on opinions and knowledge and relate these to behavior.