They call it "the Big C" and it worries more New Zealanders than any other disease or disability.
That is according to a Southern Cross Health Society survey of nearly 1500 adults with health insurance.
Cancer was the most feared health issue among those interviewed for the survey, aged 21 to 64 years, while those aged 65 and over were more worried about a stroke. For them cancer came second.
Brain injuries came second for those aged 21 to 54, while strokes came second for 55-64-year-olds.
The youngest group's third biggest fear was losing eyesight, coming in third for those aged 30-54 was heart attacks while brain injury was the third biggest worry for those aged 55 to 64 and dementia, or Alzheimer's disease, was the third biggest fear for those 65 or older.
Peter Tynan, Southern Cross Health Society chief executive, said cancer's unknown nature could be why it was so feared.
"Sometimes cancer can seem to strike at random – even being young and healthy is no guarantee," Mr Tynan said.
"But while science doesn't yet fully understand its causes, what is known is that preventive steps and a healthy lifestyle can help to reduce our risk.
"With many cancers, early detection is crucial to survival, so keeping up screening is vital."
Many surveyed took steps to help reduce the risk of cancer. Ninety per cent had their blood pressure checked in the last year, and 60 per cent had a cholesterol check.
Most men aged 55 and over had a prostate cancer screening test in the last year and the majority of women underwent regular screening for breast and cervical cancer.
Mr Tynan said those aged 65 and over who feared strokes more than cancer said they need not worry.
"The good news is that stroke is largely preventable and our risk can be greatly reduced through healthy lifestyle choices and regular monitoring.
"Failure to control high blood pressure is the No1 cause of avoidable strokes, so it is great to see so many of our members are taking the step of getting regularly checked," he said.
That is according to a Southern Cross Health Society survey of nearly 1500 adults with health insurance.
Cancer was the most feared health issue among those interviewed for the survey, aged 21 to 64 years, while those aged 65 and over were more worried about a stroke. For them cancer came second.
Brain injuries came second for those aged 21 to 54, while strokes came second for 55-64-year-olds.
The youngest group's third biggest fear was losing eyesight, coming in third for those aged 30-54 was heart attacks while brain injury was the third biggest worry for those aged 55 to 64 and dementia, or Alzheimer's disease, was the third biggest fear for those 65 or older.
Peter Tynan, Southern Cross Health Society chief executive, said cancer's unknown nature could be why it was so feared.
"Sometimes cancer can seem to strike at random – even being young and healthy is no guarantee," Mr Tynan said.
"But while science doesn't yet fully understand its causes, what is known is that preventive steps and a healthy lifestyle can help to reduce our risk.
"With many cancers, early detection is crucial to survival, so keeping up screening is vital."
Many surveyed took steps to help reduce the risk of cancer. Ninety per cent had their blood pressure checked in the last year, and 60 per cent had a cholesterol check.
Most men aged 55 and over had a prostate cancer screening test in the last year and the majority of women underwent regular screening for breast and cervical cancer.
Mr Tynan said those aged 65 and over who feared strokes more than cancer said they need not worry.
"The good news is that stroke is largely preventable and our risk can be greatly reduced through healthy lifestyle choices and regular monitoring.
"Failure to control high blood pressure is the No1 cause of avoidable strokes, so it is great to see so many of our members are taking the step of getting regularly checked," he said.
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