Skip to content
Surprising Science

We Fear Cancer, Then Alzheimer’s

Except for the fear of cancer, U.S. adults most fear getting Alzheimer's disease, but few make preparations for the onset of the disease, a survey indicates.

Except for cancer, U.S. adults most fear getting Alzheimer’s disease, but few make preparations for the onset of the disease, a survey indicates. Although many fear Alzheimer’s, 62 percent admit they know little or nothing about the disease. Forty-one percent say they fear cancer, 31 percent say they fear Alzheimer’s disease, 8 percent fear heart disease, 8 percent fear stroke and 6 percent fear diabetes. The telephone survey of 1,007 U.S. adults was conducted in September. Nearly a quarter of all adults are extremely or very concerned that they may some day provide care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.


Related

Up Next