Knowledge and attitude toward proton radiotherapy among oncology patients: a multi-center, cross-sectional study

<b>Aim:</b> To explore the knowledge and attitude among oncology patients toward proton radiotherapy.<b>Materials & methods:</b> This cross-sectional study was performed using self-designed questionnaire.<b>Results:</b> Based on 546 valid questionnaires, mean knowledge and attitude scores of 3.4 ± 3.6 (range: 0-12) and 31.1 ± 3.5 (range: 10-50) were observed. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that higher education (<i>p</i> = 0.021), higher monthly income (<i>p</i> = 0.005), and proton radiotherapy history (<i>p</i> < 0.001) were independently associated with higher knowledge scores. Higher knowledge (<i>p</i> = 0.020), older age (<i>p</i> = 0.030), not smoking (<i>p</i> = 0.032) and medication use (<i>p</i> = 0.035) were independently associated with higher attitude scores.<b>Conclusion:</b> Oncology patients have insufficient knowledge and negative attitude toward proton radiotherapy, which might be affected by their age, education, income, proton radiotherapy history, employment, smoking and medication use.