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- Title
"I don't know" My Cancer Risk: Implications for Health Behavior Engagement.
- Authors
Waters, Erika; Kiviniemi, Marc; Orom, Heather; Hay, Jennifer; Waters, Erika A; Kiviniemi, Marc T; Hay, Jennifer L
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>Many people report uncertainty about their cancer risk. We examined whether such uncertainty was related to cancer prevention and detection behaviors.<bold>Methods: </bold>National Health Interview Survey data from 2005 to 2010 were analyzed. Participants reported their perceived risk for colorectal and breast cancers. Responses were coded as "valid" (i.e., less/as/more likely than average) or "don't know."<bold>Results: </bold>In bivariate analyses for both cancer sites and survey years, "don't know" responders (DKR) engaged in less physical activity than "valid" responders (p < 0.05). DKR had lower mammography adherence than "valid" responders in 2005 and lower colorectal screening adherence in 2010 (p < 0.05). DKR had marginally lower colorectal screening adherence and fruit/vegetable consumption in 2005 (p < 0.06). Multivariable models indicated that the DKR-behavior relationship could be largely accounted for by education.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Interventions that help people understand their cancer risk may provide particular benefit to people with low education and might consequently reduce health disparities.
- Subjects
HEALTH behavior; RISK perception; HEALTH equity; CANCER prevention; BREAST cancer risk factors; COLON cancer risk factors
- Publication
Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 2016, Vol 50, Issue 5, p784
- ISSN
0883-6612
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1007/s12160-016-9789-5