Risk perception among Brazilian individuals with high risk for colorectal cancer and colonoscopy

Abstract

BackgroundRisk perception is considered a motivating factor for adopting preventive behaviors. This study aimed to verify the demographic characteristics and cancer family history that are predictors of risk perception and to verify if risk perception is a predictor of colonoscopy adherence.MethodsIndividuals with a family colorectal cancer history as indicated by a proband with cancer were interviewed by telephone. They responded to a questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, colonoscopy history and four questions on risk perception. Tests of multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to identify associations between dependent and independent variables.ResultsThe 117 participants belonged to 62 families and had a mean age of 45.2 years. The majority of these individuals were female (74.4%) and from families who met the Amsterdam Criteria (54.7%). The average risk perception was 47.6%, with a median of 50%. The average population perception of individual risk was 55.4%, with a median of 50%. Variables associated with a higher risk perception were age, gender, religion, school level, income, and death of a family member. The variable predicting colonoscopy was receiving medical information regarding risk (odds ratio OR 8.40).ConclusionsWe found that family cancer history characteristics (number of relatives with cancer, risk classification) are associated with adequate risk perception. Risk perception does not predict colonoscopy in this sample. The only variable that predicted colonoscopy was receiving medical information recommending screening.

Does Familial History of Cancer Affect the General Health Conditions and Healthy Lifestyle Behavior of Nursing and Midwifery Students?

“…In other studies, status regarding having a cancer patient among family or relatives was found to affect early diagnosis behavior positively, increase knowledge on cancer, and provide improvement in healthy lifestyle behavior (26)(27)(28). Contrary our study, some studies in literature have found that status regarding having a cancer patient among family or relatives doesn't affect behavior regarding protection from cancer (20,(29)(30)(31)(32). It is pleasing that according to the findings of our study, students under genetic risk show positive behavior for protection from cancer.…”

Kadinlarin Servi̇ks Kanseri̇nden Korunma Ve Erken Taniya Yöneli̇k Tutumlarinin Değerlendi̇ri̇lmesi̇

“…Karadağ Çaman ve arkadaşlarının (2014) yaptığı çalışmada da ailesinde kanser öyküsü olanlar, bireysel kanser riskini daha yüksek görmektedir (29). Literatürde pek çok çalışma da aile öyküsünün bireylerin risk algısını etkileyen bir faktör olduğunu göstermektedir (30)(31)(32). Bu sonuç bireylerin kendilerini riskli grupta görmelerinin sağlıklı davranışlara yönelmelerinde etkileyici faktör olduğunu göstermektedir.…”

“…Bu sonuç bireylerin kendilerini riskli grupta görmelerinin sağlıklı davranışlara yönelmelerinde etkileyici faktör olduğunu göstermektedir. Sağlığı geliştirme alanında çok kullanılan modellerden biri olan 'Sağlık İnanç Modeli'ne göre de algılanan bireysel risk, davranış değişikliğinin önemli belirleyicilerinden biridir (33) Ancak literatürde bireylerin yüksek risk algısının her zaman koruyucu sağlık davranışları ile paralel gitmeyebileceğini gösteren başka çalışmalar da bulunmaktadır (31,34,35).…”

Public Awareness of Colorectal Cancer Screening: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Interventions for Increasing Screening Uptake

“…In a Spanish study carried out in family-risk population [ 95 ], a high subjective perception of risk was an independent predictor for CRC screening (odds ratio = 2.87, 95% confidence interval: 1.10–7.46; P = 0.03). In another study [ 108 ], a higher perception of risk among relatives of patients with CRC increased with the number of relatives with CRC.…”