SOCIAL AND BEHAVIOURAL RESEARCH IN CANCER UNIT
 
What is social and behavioural research?

Social and behavioural research seeks to find out what influences people to behave in the ways that they do, and why they sometimes behave in unhealthy ways.  We know that many cancers are caused by potentially modifiable risk factors, such as tobacco smoking, poor nutrition, inactivity and over exposure to the sun.  Understanding what influences people to behave the way they do and how we can encourage healthy behaviours is central to the task of all health promotion work.
 
Why does the Cancer Society have a Unit dedicated to social and behavioural research?
One of the goals of the Cancer Society is to undertake health promotion focusing on the prevention of cancer.  Understanding how to change behaviours that increase the risk of cancer is essential for successful health promotion programmes.  The Social and Behavioural Research in Cancer Unit (SBRCU) is based in Otago University, and provides the expertise that forms an integral part of national health promotion programme and policy development.  The main goal of the SBRCU is to work to advance our understanding about how to prevent cancer related diseases in order to reduce the prevalence of cancer.
 
International contribution to social and behavioural research
There is growing international recognition of the importance of understanding the social and behavioural factors related to risk and protective factors for cancer.  While some overseas research has focused attention on studying these factors, there is a need also to have New Zealand data.  New Zealand has a unique set of socio-economic, legal and cultural environments, which makes overseas research less transferable.  The funding of social and behavioural research also allows New Zealand to contribute to this field internationally.