Tottman, Georgia2024-07-032024-07-032022https://hdl.handle.net/2440/141527This item is only available electronically.Early detection of cancer provides the best chance of successful treatment and survival, and can be achieved by seeking medical help promptly after noticing physical symptoms. Identifying barriers to prompt help-seeking is important in developing effective interventions to overcome such barriers and improve overall cancer outcomes. Current evidence concerning gender differences in help-seeking for cancer symptoms is mixed and the role of embarrassment as a barrier has only been qualitatively established. The aim of this study was to quantitatively determine the effect of gender and embarrassment on help- seeking for symptoms indicative of cancer. A total of 168 participants were presented with three vignettes in a mixed quasi-experiment, where symptom invasiveness (low, mid, and high) was manipulated. Participants were asked to respond to measures of intention to seek help, anticipated time to consultation, and symptom medical embarrassment. Participants also responded to an (adapted) established measure of general medical embarrassment (including bodily embarrassment and judgement concern). Contrary to expectations, intention to seek help did not significantly differ according to gender or symptom invasiveness. However, anticipated time to consultation was significantly slower for females for the low invasiveness symptom. Intention to seek help was negatively correlated to symptom medical embarrassment, but not bodily embarrassment and judgement concern. The findings suggest that a gender-neutral approach to health promotion may be appropriate, bringing cost and efficiency benefits. In addition, findings also suggest that it is important to increase awareness about the role that embarrassment plays in help-seeking for cancer symptoms.Honours; PsychologyThesis