Perceived risk for breast cancer and its relationship to mammography in Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites

Heather Orom, Marc T. Kiviniemi, Vickie L. Shavers, Levi Ross, Willie Underwood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

A challenge for health behavior science is to develop theory and best practices that take cultural diversity into account. Using data from Black, Hispanic, and White respondents to the 2003 Health Information National Trends Survey, we examined racial/ethnic differences in: (1) breast cancer risk perceptions/worry; (2) the associations between perceived risk/worry and ever having received a mammogram; and (3) perceived risk/worry and having had at least 2 mammograms over a 4-year period (consecutive mammography). Compared to White race/ethnicity, Black race/ethnicity was associated with lower perceived absolute risk and comparative risk for developing cancer. For the sample as a whole, higher perceived risk (both absolute risk and comparative risk) and worry predicted greater odds of mammography use; however, this was not true for Hispanics. In stratified analyses, perceived risk and worry were not associated with mammography use for either Hispanics or Blacks whereas they were for Whites; however, this interaction effect was significant only for Hispanics vs. Whites. Results support the need for formative research to identify determinants of health behavior prior to cancer prevention message planning for diverse audiences in order to accommodate racial/ethnic differences not only in the level of perceived risk, but also the association between risk perception to behavior change in that community.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)466-476
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Behavioral Medicine
Volume36
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2013

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Acknowledgments During the preparation of this manuscript Dr. Kiviniemi was supported by NIH grant K07CA106225 and Dr. Underwood was supported by an Astella/AUA Foundation Rising Star in Urology Award. We gratefully acknowledge the contributions John Gaeddert and Teresa Semalulu made to the preparation of this manuscript.

Keywords

  • African American
  • Breast neoplasms
  • Hispanic
  • Mammography
  • Perceived risk
  • Race

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychology (all)
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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