Objective  To explore the relationship between the belief for cancer prevention and family history of cancer in community residents of Hefei city, Anhui province and to provide a basis for cancer intervention.

  Methods  We conducted a survey among 2 378 non-cancer residents at ages of 40 years or older selected with random cluster sampling in 6 communities of Hefei city in July 2016 using a self-designed questionnaire on the belief for cancer prevention.

  Results  Of the participants, 754 (31.59%) reported family history of cancer. Compared to those with family cancer history, the participants without family cancer history had significantly lower overall and dimension scores of cognition on cancer prevention (overall belief: 2.90 ± 0.36 vs. 2.97 ± 0.32, susceptibility: 2.69 ± 0.57 vs. 2.84 ± 0.53, profitability: 3.34 ± 0.76 vs. 3.45 ± 0.65, obstruction: 1.79 ± 0.47 vs. 1.82 ± 0.50)(P < 0.05 for all). In comparison with those with two or more family members suffering from cancer, the participants with only one family member suffering from cancer showed significantly lower overall score of belief for cancer prevention (2.96 ± 0.31 vs. 2.99 ± 0.33) and susceptibility score (2.82 ± 0.54 vs. 2.91 ± 0.50)(both P < 0.05). In contrast to those with first-degree relative member suffering from cancer, the participants with non first-degree relative member suffering from cancer presented significantly lower overall belief score for cancer prevention (2.82 ± 0.54 vs. 2.85 ± 0.52) and dimension scores for susceptibility (3.40 ± 0.66 vs. 3.47 ± 0.65) and profitability (2.96 ± 0.32 vs. 2.97 ± 0.31) (P < 0.05 for all).

  Conclusion  The belief scores for cancer prevention are relatively higher among the community residents with family cancer history and having more than one family members suffering from cancer or having first-degree relative member with cancer.