Cancer risk perception and knowledge and physician communication behaviors: specific influences on cervical cancer and colorectal cancer screening in women 50-65 years old
Abstract
Background
Women 50-65 years old have the lowest cervical and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates amongst ages recommended for screening. The primary aim of this work is to determine how cancer risk perceptions and provider communication behaviors, in addition to known demographic factors, influence the uptake of both cervical and CRC screening or a single screen among women in southeast Michigan.
Methods
14 health services and communication behavior questions were adapted from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) and administered to a multiethnic sample of adults in southeast Michigan. The outcome variable was self-reported up to date cervical and/or CRC screening as defined by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Demographic and cancer risk/communication behavior responses of the four screening status categories (both tests, one test, no tests) were analyzed with multinomial regression for all comparisons.
Results
Of the 394 respondents, 54% were up to date for both cervical and CRC screening, 21% were up to date with only cervical cancer screening and 12% were up to date for only CRC screening. Of the 14 risk perception and communication behaviors only, Did your primary care physician (PCP) involve you in the decisions about your health care as much as you wanted? was significantly associated with women having both screens compared to only cervical cancer screening (aOR 1.67 (95% CI: 1.08, 2.57). The control variables included in the model, also significant, were MENA and Black races compared to white women and age.
Conclusions
Screening behavior for both cancers is different than a single screen and associated with the woman’s perception of the physician involving her in her care as much as she wanted. In addition, educational programs are needed for MENA women.
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