Table 1 Summary of sample characteristics

Gender

Male

214

49.3

Female

219

50.5

Non-binary

1

0.2

Mean (SD); Median (IQR) age

46.25 (17.46)

45 (31–63)

Sexual orientation

Gay or lesbian

15

3.5

Straight or heterosexual

403

92.9

Bisexual

9

2.1

Other, please describe

1

0.2

Prefer not to say

6

1.4

Ethnic group

White British/Irish/other

406

93.6

Mixed ethnic background

4

0.9

Black British/Black African or Black Caribbean

8

1.8

South Asian

9

2.1

Other Asian background

4

0.9

Other

1

0.2

Prefer not to say

2

0.5

Country of birth

UK

410

94.47

Elsewhere

24

5.53

English main language spoken at home

422

97.2

Own/access to a care or van

356

82.0

Marital status

Single or never married

119

27.4

Married or living with partner

263

60.6

Separated

6

1.4

Divorced

28

6.5

Widowed

15

3.5

Civil partnership

2

0.5

Prefer not to say

1

0.2

Live alone

55

12.7

Highest educational qualification

Degree, higher degree or equivalent

139

32.0

Higher education qualification below de

63

14.5

 A-levels, Highers, or equivalent

87

20.1

ONC/ BTEC or equivalent

27

6.2

Still studying

3

0.7

O-level, GCSE or equivalent

104

24.0

No formal qualifications

10

2.3

Prefer not to say

1

0.2

Employment

Full-time employed

193

44.5

Part-time employed

54

12.4

Unemployed

21

4.8

Self-employed

11

2.5

Homemaker

35

8.1

Retired

87

20.1

Student/studying

14

3.2

Disabled/too ill to work

17

3.9

Other

2

0.5

UK region

East Anglia

39

9.0

East Midlands

31

7.1

London

61

14.1

Northeast

18

4.2

Northwest

48

11.1

Northern Ireland

11

2.5

Scotland

34

7.8

Southeast

60

13.8

Cancer experience ¹

Personal history

77

17.7

Partner history

41

9.5

Immediate family member

203

46.8

Wider family member

189

43.6

Close friend

185

42.6

Long-term conditions

Kidney problems

23

5.3

Stroke

23

5.3

Heart problems

30

6.9

Long covid

33

7.6

Other autoimmune condition

34

7.8

Cancer

38

8.8

Diabetes

46

10.6

Circulation problems

47

10.8

Other

54

12.4

Breathing problems

61

14.1

Anaemia

65

15.0

Skin problems

67

15.4

High cholesterol

70

16.1

Arthritis

78

18.0

High blood pressure

85

19.6

Musculoskeletal

96

22.1

Common mental disorder

102

23.5

Consulted with HCP in the last 12 m

Have not had a consultation

114

26.3

Once

144

33.2

Twice

94

21.7

Three or more times

78

18.0

Prefer not to say

4

0.9

Smoking status

Never smoked

219

50.5

Former smoker

106

24.4

Occasional smoker

60

13.8

Regular smoker

49

11.3

Social support

Mean (SD); Median (range) number of adults in household feel close to

1.34 (0.98)

1 (0–2)

Mean (SD); Median (range) number of relatives (outside household) feel close to

2.69 (3.59)

2 (0–3)

Mean (SD); Median (range) number of good friends

3.52 (4.01)

2 (0–5)

Household

Mean (SD); Median (range) number of adults in household

1.54 (1.09)

1 (0–2)

Mean (SD); Median (range) number of children in household

0.53 (0.85)

1 (0–1)