Improving Cancer Risk Awareness Including Obesity as a Risk Factor for Cancer in a Small U.S. Community.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cancer Prevention
• Health Behavior

Background:

• Obesity is a known risk factor for various cancers, yet public awareness remains low.
• Low awareness of obesity as a cancer risk factor hinders preventative efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a quasi-experimental intervention on cancer risk awareness, specifically focusing on obesity.
• To assess the effectiveness of educational materials and community reinforcement in increasing awareness of cancer risk factors.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design involving in-person surveys with 863 participants at baseline and post-intervention.
• Data collection included participant awareness of cancer risk factors and sociodemographic variables.
• Statistical analysis using regression to determine intervention effects on cancer risk awareness.

Main Results:

• Baseline awareness of obesity as a cancer risk factor was low (35%) compared to other risks like sunburn (97%).
• The intervention significantly increased participants' awareness that overweight and obesity are cancer risk factors.
• Both unadjusted and adjusted analyses showed significant positive intervention effects on cancer risk awareness.

Conclusions:

• Community-based interventions incorporating reinforcement are effective in increasing cancer risk awareness.
• Such interventions can improve understanding of obesity as a cancer risk factor, regardless of individual participant characteristics.
• This approach holds promise for cancer prevention strategies in high-risk communities.