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Perceptions of Cancer Risk: Differences by Weight Status
Kerry R Silverman1, Pamela A Ohman-Strickland2,3,4, Allison H Christian5,6
1Department of Health Education & Behavioral Science, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, 683 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ, 08903, USA.
Summary
Obesity is linked to cancer, yet many underestimate this risk. Overweight individuals perceive a higher relative cancer risk, highlighting a need for education on weight management for cancer prevention.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Obesity is a significant risk factor for cancer development.
- Public awareness of obesity as a cancer risk is lower than that of family history.
- The impact of excess weight on cancer risk perception remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate absolute and relative cancer risk perceptions based on individuals' weight status.
- To compare cancer risk perceptions between individuals with and without a family history of cancer.
- To analyze the influence of body mass index (BMI) and family history on cancer risk perception.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cross-sectional data from the 2011 National Cancer Institute's Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS).
- Included 2585 participants, evaluating demographics, anthropometric data, family cancer history, health behaviors, and cancer risk perceptions.
- Employed weighted descriptive and logistic regression analyses to assess the effects of weight status and family history on risk perceptions.
Main Results:
- A significant difference in risk perception was observed between those with and without a family history of cancer (p < 0.0001).
- No significant differences in absolute cancer risk perception were found across BMI categories.
- Obese individuals reported higher relative cancer risk perception compared to healthy weight individuals (p = 0.0066), even when controlling for family history (p = 0.0161).
Conclusions:
- Individuals with a family history of cancer exhibit different risk perceptions than those without.
- While absolute cancer risk perception is not significantly affected by BMI, relative risk perception is higher in obese individuals.
- Public health initiatives should educate overweight and obese individuals about the link between excess weight and cancer risk to improve risk accuracy and encourage weight management for cancer prevention.
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