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Cancer perceptions: implications from the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey

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Abstract

Introduction

Research has demonstrated associations between sociodemographic characteristics and illness perceptions; however, the impact of cancer exposure through personal or family diagnoses is not well-studied. The purposes of this study were to examine different cancer beliefs and disparities in cancer beliefs across groups of individuals with distinct cancer histories and to identify whether cancer history predicts a set of cancer beliefs.

Methods

Using Leventhal’s Common Sense Model and data from the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey (N = 7,172), we constructed multivariable logistic regression models to evaluate the effect of different stimuli, including cancer experience on cancer perceptions (e.g., prevention, causation, outcome, worry).

Results

Findings indicated significant associations between cancer history and cancer perceptions. Individuals with family and personal cancer histories were more likely than individuals without any cancer history to worry about getting cancer (OR = 3.55, 95 %CI = 2.53–4.99), agree they will develop cancer in the future (OR = 8.81, 95 %CI = 6.12–12.67) and disagree that cancer is most often caused by a person’s behavior or lifestyle (OR = 1.24, 95 %CI = 1.01–1.52).

Conclusions

Cancer history affects perceptions throughout the cancer continuum. Additionally, cancer history may influence coping behaviors and outcomes. Cancer education and survivorship programs should assess important variables such as cancer history to more effectively tailor services and monitor evolving needs throughout cancer care. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Integrating cancer history information into patient education programs tailored to an individual’s needs may better empower survivors and their family members to effectively promote informed decision-making about screening and preventive health behaviors, manage cancer worry, and enhance quality of life.

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Abbreviations

ACS:

American Cancer Society

CSM:

Common Sense Model

HINTS:

Health Information National Trends Survey

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Heather Honoré Goltz and Kevin Siffert for their helpful comments on earlier drafts and Sonora Hudson for her assistance with the preparation of this manuscript.

Funding support

This work was partly supported by the Houston VA HSR&D Center of Excellence (HFP90-020). The views expressed reflect those of the authors and not necessarily the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs/Baylor College of Medicine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Houston Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence, MEDVAMC, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard (152), Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Marc A. Kowalkowski & David M. Latini

  2. Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Marc A. Kowalkowski & David M. Latini

  3. The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA

    Marc A. Kowalkowski, Xianglin L. Du & Sarah Baraniuk

  4. Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Stacey L. Hart

  5. Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    David M. Latini

Authors
  1. Marc A. Kowalkowski
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  2. Stacey L. Hart
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  4. Sarah Baraniuk
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Correspondence to Marc A. Kowalkowski.

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Kowalkowski, M.A., Hart, S.L., Du, X.L. et al. Cancer perceptions: implications from the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey. J Cancer Surviv 6, 287–295 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-012-0217-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-012-0217-y

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