Abstract B27: Beliefs about the causes of breast and colorectal cancer among women in the general population

Women’s beliefs about the causes of cancer may influence the preventive actions they undertake to reduce their risk. Little is known about the beliefs women have about the causes breast and colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study is to describe and compare causal beliefs about breast and colorectal cancer among unaffected women in the general population.

A total of 439 unaffected women in the general population were recruited to complete a web-based survey assessing causal beliefs for either breast (N = 211) or colorectal cancer (N = 228).

Heredity was ranked as the most important causal factor, followed by diet or eating habits for both cancer sites. Women endorsed the following causes of breast or colorectal cancer respectively: heredity (84.4%, 78.5%), diet or eating habits (46.4%, 69.7%), pollution in the environment (57.6%, 40.3%), aging (48.8%, 57.5%), alcohol (29.9%, 40.8%), smoking (58.3%, 50.8%), stress (27.5%, 29.4%), and lack of exercise (35.7%, 44.3%). Other factors such as prior surgery on the breast (23.7%) and colon (32.9%), or changes in one’s immune system (60.6% - breast; 59.2% - colon) were also endorsed by some women. Significant differences between cancer sites were noted, in particular, for heredity, diet, pollution, aging, alcohol, and lack of exercise.

Both genetic and non-genetic risk factors are endorsed by unaffected women as causes of breast and colorectal cancer. Notably, causal beliefs differ for breast and colorectal cancer. Misconceptions about the causes of these cancers may be important targets for risk communication efforts.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B27.