Learning objectives

This chapter introduces ideas about individuals' understandings and relationships with their bodies, and the body as a site which can be examined and controlled in order to maintain physical health. Thus, behaviours such as breast and testicular self-examination, screening for disease and genetic screening are considered. We discuss the implications of the current pervasive focus on disease risk, self-surveillance and engagement with technological screening programmes. By the end of this chapter you should be able to:

• distinguish between primary, secondary and tertiary prevention efforts;

• describe some of the major forms of secondary prevention of disease;

• evaluate whether screening programmes have a psychological impact;

• outline the costs and benefits of screening programmes;

• identify factors which influence individual uptake of screening services;

• describe the major types of genetic testing currently employed, as well as their psychological and social effects;

• discuss the implications of secondary prevention approaches for the individual;

• examine how secondary prevention practices influence individual perceptions of risk;

• evaluate how morality is embedded within accounts of risk.