Perceived Cancer-related Risk and Beliefs in Texas: Findings from a 2018 Population-Level Survey.

BACKGROUND: Cancer beliefs and perceptions of cancer risk affect the cancer continuum.

METHODS: We developed a cancer-focused questionnaire and administered it online to a nonprobability sample of the Texas population. Weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis identified key factors associated with perceptions and beliefs about cancer.

RESULTS: The study population comprised 2034 respondents (median age, 44.4 years) of diverse ethnicity: 45.5% were non-Hispanic white, 10.6% non-Hispanic black, and 35.7% Hispanic. Self-reported depression was significantly associated with cancer risk perceptions and cancer beliefs. Those indicating frequent and infrequent depression versus no depression were more likely to believe that: (i) compared to other people their age, they were more likely to get cancer in their lifetime (OR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.95-4.39 and OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.17-2.74, respectively); and (ii) when they think about cancer, they automatically think about death (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.56-2.69 and OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.11-1.92, respectively). Frequent depression versus no depression was also associated with agreement that (i) it seems like everything causes cancer (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.26-2.22) and (ii) there is not much one can do to lower one's chance of getting cancer (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.09-1.89). Other predictors for perceived cancer risk and/or cancer beliefs were sex, age, ethnicity/race, being born in the US, marital status, income, body mass index, and smoking.

CONCLUSIONS: We identified depression and other predictors associated with cancer risk perceptions and beliefs in Texas.

IMPACT: Increased attention to reducing depression may improve cancer risk perceptions and beliefs.