RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Using NCI-Designated Cancer Center Catchment-Area Data to Understand an Ignored but High-Need Constituent: People Uncertain or Avoidant about Their Cancer Risk
JF Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention
JO Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev
FD American Association for Cancer Research
SP 1955
OP 1957
DO 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-0430
VO 28
IS 12
A1 Hay, Jennifer L.
A1 Kiviniemi, Marc T.
A1 Orom, Heather
A1 Waters, Erika A.
YR 2019
UL http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/28/12/1955.abstract
AB In 2016, the NCI provided supplemental funding to 15 NCI-designated cancer centers to enhance cancer centers' capacity to collect critical catchment-area data across behavioral and psychosocial domains [March 2019 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention (CEBP)—CEBP Focus]. In response, we highlight opportunities for cancer risk perception research when collecting and utilizing catchment-area data given the remarkably high proportions of individuals who report they are at average cancer risk, high levels of cancer risk information avoidance, and extremely negative (“death”) associations with cancer. First, we advocate for enhanced measurement specificity regarding whether some participants may be uncertain regarding their cancer risk. Second, we advocate for examination of whether the large proportion of people who rate their risk as average have common (demographic and attitudinal) characteristics, which may dictate specific and targeted cancer prevention and control intervention. Finally, we advocate for further examination of cancer risk information avoidance and negative cancer associations to clarify subgroups that may fail to engage with risk information. Given the ubiquity of risk uncertainty, information avoidance, and negative cancer associations, further research into these prevalent beliefs will enhance our ability to bring the latest information regarding cancer prevention and control to the general population of the United States.