Original Article

Cancer Risk Awareness among Uninsured Primary Care Patients

Authors: Akiko Kamimura, PhD, MSW, Samin Panahi, BS, Naveen Rathi, HBS, Shannon Weaver, HBS, Jeanie Ashby, MPH

Abstract

Objectives: Underserved populations are at risk of low cancer risk awareness. The purpose of this study was to examine cancer risk awareness and lifestyle issues among uninsured primary care patients in the United States.

Methods: Data were collected using a self-administered survey from May to July 2017 of adult free clinic patients (N = 506) who spoke English or Spanish.

Results: The following factors were associated with higher levels of cancer risk awareness: higher educational attainment, better self-perceived health, and having a family history of cancer. More than 40% of free clinic patients reported a family history of cancer. Contradictory findings existed between perceived diet quality and perceived weight.

Conclusions: The intersection of cancer risk awareness and lifestyle issues among underserved populations is a vital topic to improve cancer prevention and promote screening uptake. Continued research is needed to understand which types of cancer underserved populations are cognizant of developing. In addition, because community-level interventions are effective in increasing cancer risk awareness, 3 research is needed to determine ways in which health education programs focused at cancer risk awareness directed to underserved populations can be effectively implemented and evaluated.
Posted in: Medical Oncology46

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Weinstein ND, Sandman PM, Blalock SJ. The precaution adoption process model. In: Glanz K, Rimer BK, Viswanath K, , eds. Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research, and Practice. San Francisco:John Wiley & Sons;2008.
2. The Community Guide. Cancer. https://www.thecommunityguide.org/topic/cancer. Accessed April 13, 2018.
3. Thapa JR, Lyford C, McCool B, et al. Improving cancer risk awareness including obesity as a risk factor for cancer in a small US community. J Cancer Educ 2017;32:827-835.
4. Coups EJ, Hay J, Ford JS. Awareness of the role of physical activity in colon cancer prevention. Patient Educ Couns 2008;72:246-251.
5. Anderson AS, Caswell S, Macleod M, et al. Awareness of lifestyle and colorectal cancer risk: findings from the BeWEL Study. Biomed Res Int. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2015/871613.
6. American Institute for Cancer Research. The AICR 2015 Cancer Risk Awareness Survey Report. http://www.aicr.org/assets/docs/pdf/education/aicr-awareness-report-2015.pdf. Accessed April 13, 2018.
7. Guerra YC, Smith DD, Rojo-Castillo P, et al. A breast health (BH) educational program to increase breast cancer awareness among adolescents and their female relatives in low-income communities through intergenerational learning. J Clin Oncol 2016;34:6540.
8. Salant T, Ganschow PS, Olopade OI, et al. “Why take it if you don’t have anything?” Breast cancer risk perceptions and prevention choices at a public hospital. J Gen Intern Med 2006;21:779-785.
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cancer prevention and control: breast cancer awareness. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/breastcancerawareness/index.htm. Accessed April 13, 2018.
10. Orom H, Kiviniemi MT, Shavers VL, et al. Perceived risk for breast cancer and its relationship to mammography in blacks, Hispanics, and whites. J Behav Med 2013;36:466-476.
11. Sherman SM, Lane EL. Awareness of risk factors for breast, lung and cervical cancer in a UK student population. J Cancer Educ 2015;30:660-663.
12. Kamimura A, Nourian MM, Ashby J, et al. Sun protection behaviors associated with self-efficacy, susceptibility, and awareness among uninsured primary care patients utilizing a free clinic. Dermatol Res Pract 2015;753681.
13. Kamimura A, Chernenko A, Nourian MM, et al. The role of health literacy in reducing negative perceptions of breast health and treatment among uninsured primary care patients. J Community Health 2016;41:858-863.
14. Kamimura A, Ashby J, Jess A, et al. Impact of neighborhood environments on health consciousness, information seeking, and attitudes among US-born and non-US-born free clinic patients. South Med J 2015;108:703-709.
15. Bahmani A, Baghianimoghadam MH, Enjezab B, et al. Factors affecting cervical cancer screening behaviors based on the Precaution Adoption Process Model: a qualitative study. Glob J Health Sci 2015;8: 211-218.
16. Brewer NT, Rimer BK. Perspectives on health behavior theories that focus on individuals. In: Glanz K, Rimer BK, Viswanath K, , eds. Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research, and Practice. San Francisco:John Wiley & Sons;2008.
17. Brown JC, Winters-Stone K, Lee A, et al. Cancer, physical activity, and exercise. Compr Physiol 2012;2:2775-2809.
18. Wen CP, Wai JP, Tsai MK, et al. Minimum amount of physical activity for reduced mortality and extended life expectancy: a prospective cohort study. Lancet 2011;378:1244-1253.
19. Kamimura A, Nourian MM, Chernenko A, et al. Beliefs and knowledge of cardiovascular related disease among uninsured primary care patients: a cross-sectional study. Chronic Ill 2017;1742395317746469.
20. Kamimura A, Tabler J, Nourian MM, et al. Prevention and management of hypertension and diabetes using social capital and physical activity among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Fam Community Health 2017;40:205-211.
21. Clouston SAP, Manganello JA, Richards M. A life course approach to health literacy: the role of gender, educational attainment and lifetime cognitive capability. Age Ageing 2017;46:493-499.
22. Bottorff JL, Ratner PA, Balneaves LG, et al. Women’s interest in genetic testing for breast cancer risk: the influence of sociodemographics and knowledge. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2002;11:89-95.
23. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., National Center for Health Statistics. Leading causes of death. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm. Accessed April 13, 2018.
24. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). About the program. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/about.htm. Accessed April 13, 2018.
25. Powell-Wiley TM, Miller PE, Agyemang P, et al. Perceived and objective diet quality in US adults: a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Public Health Nutr 2014; 17:2641-2649.
26. Sorensen MR, Holm L. “I feel good and I am not overweight”--a qualitative study of considerations underlying lay people' self-assessments of unhealthy diets. Appetite 2016;107:135-143.