Interaction of Comparative Cancer Risk and Cancer Efficacy Perceptions on Cancer-Related Information Seeking and Scanning Behaviors

Abstract

This study examined the interaction between perceived cancer risk and self-efficacy related to cancer screening on cancer-related information seeking and scanning behaviors (SSB) among the general population. Individuals completed a cross-sectional survey, were classified into 1 of 4 clusters based on their relative risk and self-efficacy belief scores (i.e., high relative risk and high self-efficacy, high relative risk and low self-efficacy, low relative risk and high self-efficacy, and low relative risk and low self-efficacy), and asked about their information SSB related to the colonoscopy, prostate-specific antigen test, or mammogram. A national probability sample of 2,489 adults aged 40 to 70 took part in this study. Individuals who perceived themselves to be at high relative risk for cancer and had high self-efficacy beliefs in performing cancer-screening behaviors generally reported the highest amounts of SSB for cancer-screening information, compared to the others.

The Augmented Cognitive Mediation Model: Examining Antecedents of Factual and Structural Breast Cancer Knowledge Among Singaporean Women

“…As breast cancer is an illness with severe health consequences, women with a higher risk perception tend to seek out and pay attention to breast cancer content shown in the media (Nan, Underhill, Jiang, Shen, & Kuch, 2012;Rimal, 2010;Wong, 2012). Past research has shown that risk perception has a significant moderate association with seeking breast cancer information in the media (β = .37, p < .001; Nan et al, 2012).…”

How Are Information Seeking, Scanning, and Processing Related to Beliefs About the Roles of Genetics and Behavior in Cancer Causation?

“…Information seeking refers to actively and deliberately searching for and gathering information from the media, interpersonal conversation, the Internet, medical providers, or other information sources that are outside of the normal flow of conversation (Niederdeppe et al, 2007; Powe, 2015; Wong, 2012). This is different from information scanning , which refers to passively encountering information or being exposed to information unintentionally (Lee, Zhao, & Pena, 2016; Shim, Kelly, & Hornik, 2006).…”

Abstract DPOC-005: #OVARIANCANCER: USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO FACILITATE HEALTH COMMUNICATION

“…The majority of cancer patients (74-98%) report that they want as much information as possible about their condition, but the percentage who actually seek cancer information appears to be dependent on factors unrelated to their diagnosis (Rutten et al, 2005;Chen & Sui, 2001;Foltz & Sullivan, 1996). These variables may include demographics, exposure to a friend or family member with cancer (Carlsson, 2009;Czaja et al, 2003;Rees & Bath, 2001), or their perceived risk of developing ovarian cancer in their lifetime (Wong, 2012;Weaver et al, 2010;Kaphingst et al, 2009;Roach et al, 2009).…”

“…Perceived risk may be affected by any number of variables, including genetic risk information (Aspinwall et al, 2014). For example, receiving a positive genetic test may increase an otherwise healthy individual's perception of risk, and impact their motivation to seek information (Wong, 2012). That individual may be more or less inclined to access, consume, or trust certain online sources of health information (Aspinwall et al, 2015;Wong, 2012).…”

“…For example, receiving a positive genetic test may increase an otherwise healthy individual's perception of risk, and impact their motivation to seek information (Wong, 2012). That individual may be more or less inclined to access, consume, or trust certain online sources of health information (Aspinwall et al, 2015;Wong, 2012). More research is needed to better understand how individuals with a family history of, or genetic predisposition for, ovarian cancer address health-related questions and engage with health information online.…”