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Beliefs about heritability of cancer and health information seeking and preventive behaviors

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Abstract

Background. Individuals' beliefs about cancer heritability could affect their health information seeking and health behaviors. Methods. Data from 5813 English-speaking adult respondents to the 2003 Health Information National Trends Survey were analyzed. Results. Individuals who believed that knowledge of family history or genes can reduce cancer risk were significantly more likely to have ever looked for cancer information. Ever smokers who believed that genes are the main cause of lung cancer were significantly more likely to smoke currently. Conclusions. Patients need to be educated about genetic susceptibility to cancer in ways that support information seeking and engagement in protective behaviors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Human Genome Research Institute, Building 31, Room B1B37E, 31 Center Drive, 20892-2073, Bethesda, MD

    Kimberly A. Kaphingst ScD & Christina R. Lachance MPH

  2. University of Georgia, Athens, GA

    Celeste M. Condit PhD

Authors
  1. Kimberly A. Kaphingst ScD
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  2. Christina R. Lachance MPH
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  3. Celeste M. Condit PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kimberly A. Kaphingst ScD.

Additional information

Supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health.

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Kaphingst, K.A., Lachance, C.R. & Condit, C.M. Beliefs about heritability of cancer and health information seeking and preventive behaviors. J Canc Educ 24, 351–356 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1080/08858190902876304

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