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Changes in behavior and self-perceived breast cancer risk after an education session and breast cancer risk assessment

Magnante, Alexandra

Abstract Details

2019, MS, University of Cincinnati, Medicine: Genetic Counseling.
Introduction: One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her lifetime. Current breast cancer guidelines rely primarily on screening to detect cancer at an early stage when it is most easily treated and managed. Identifying and screening women at higher risk of breast cancer can lead to reduced mortality and morbidity if those at higher risk take steps to reduce their risk or undergo more frequent screening to detect cancer earlier when it is more treatable. Research indicates that women struggle to accurately predict their personal risk of developing breast cancer. An individualized breast cancer risk assessment and an educational intervention may improve the accuracy of breast cancer risk perception and compliance with risk-reducing behaviors. Methods: One hundred and two women attended three education sessions in Cincinnati, OH between August 2018 and November 2018. Attendees completed a baseline risk assessment survey (RAS) prior to an education session. Information gathered in the baseline RAS was used to generate Gail and Tyrer-Cuzick (v8) model-calculated lifetime, five year, and 10 year breast cancer risks which were provided to each attendee at the education session. Fifty-four participants responded to a follow-up risk assessment survey (RAS2) one month after the education session. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the study population. Wilcoxon signed rank test, Fisher’s exact test, and McNemar test were used in data analysis. Results: Self-perceived risk assessments were more accurate, compared to the Tyrer-Cuzick (v8) risk assessment, in the RAS2 (p<0.001). There was a significant difference in the percentage of participants who correctly identified certain breast cancer risk factors between the baseline RAS and the RAS2. Specifically, there was an increase in the percentage of participants who correctly identified alcohol consumption (p<0.001), early puberty (p<0.001), late menopause (p=0.002), no live births (p<0.001), and breast density (p<0.001) as breast cancer risk factors. When asked about actual behaviors, there were no significant differences in reported physical activity (p=1.0), alcohol consumption (p=0.37), or fruit and vegetable intake (p= 1.0) between the baseline RAS and RAS2. Twenty-one (38.9%) participants reported scheduling a mammogram after the education session, and six (19.4%) reported having scheduled an appointment with a genetics professional. Discussion: Our study found significant changes in the accuracy of individual breast cancer risk perception, as well as perception of breast cancer risk factors, after a model-calculated risk assessment and breast cancer education session. Significant modifications in risk-reducing behaviors, including tobacco use, diet, exercise, and alcohol consumption, were not identified. More participants reported scheduling a screening mammogram after a model-calculated risk assessment and breast cancer education session, but a smaller proportion reported scheduling a consultation with a genetics professional.
Melanie Myers, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Hua He, M.S. (Committee Member)
Lisa Larkin, MDFACPNCMPIF (Committee Member)
Rebecca Sisson, M.S. L.G.C. (Committee Member)
29 p.

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Citations

  • Magnante, A. (2019). Changes in behavior and self-perceived breast cancer risk after an education session and breast cancer risk assessment [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1553513291588396

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Magnante, Alexandra. Changes in behavior and self-perceived breast cancer risk after an education session and breast cancer risk assessment. 2019. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1553513291588396.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Magnante, Alexandra. "Changes in behavior and self-perceived breast cancer risk after an education session and breast cancer risk assessment." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1553513291588396

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)