Correlates of misperception of breast cancer risk among Korean-American Women

Abstract

This study investigated the factors associated with misperception of breast cancer risk, including unrealistic optimism and unrealistic pessimism, among Korean-American women (KAW). Baseline data were collected between March 2010 and October 2011 from 421 KAW aged 40–65 years who participated in a community-based randomized intervention trial designed to promote breast and cervical cancer screening. Multivariate multinomial regression was performed to identify correlates of misperception of breast cancer risk among KAW. A total of 210 KAW (49.9%) had breast cancer risk perception consistent with their objective risk, whereas 50.1% of KAW in the study had some form of misperception of risk. Specifically, 167 participants (39.7%) were unrealistically optimistic about their own breast cancer risk; 44 (10.5%) were unrealistically pessimistic. In multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis, living with a partner and higher education were significantly associated with higher odds of having unrealistic optimism. High social support was associated with a lower likelihood of having a pessimistic risk perception. Higher worry was associated with a higher likelihood of having unrealistic pessimism. Misperception of breast cancer risk among KAW and related factors must be considered when developing behavioral interventions for this population.

Theory-based training to promote breast cancer screening among women with breast cancer worries: randomized controlled trial

“…However, this difference favored the high cancer-worry control group with regard to breast self-examination in month 3. Kim et al 33 found that women with high levels of cancer worries had unrealistic pessimism. Negative beliefs surrounding cancer treatment or survival may mean that they do not want to know about the cancer in advance, and this can negatively affect their behavior in relation to obtaining early diagnosis of cancer.…”