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01-12-2011 | Original Research

Using a Family History Intervention to Improve Cancer Risk Perception in a Black Community

Authors: Vinaya S. Murthy, Mary A. Garza, Donna A. Almario, Kristen J. Vogel, Robin E. Grubs, Elizabeth A. Gettig, John W. Wilson, Stephen B. Thomas

Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling | Issue 6/2011

Abstract

Few studies examine the use of family history to influence risk perceptions in the African American population. This study examined the influence of a family health history (FHH) intervention on risk perceptions for breast (BRCA), colon (CRC), and prostate cancers (PRCA) among African Americans in Pittsburgh, PA. Participants (n = 665) completed pre- and post-surveys and FHHs. We compared their objective and perceived risks, classified as average, moderate, or high, and examined the accuracy of risk perceptions before and after the FHH intervention. The majority of participants had accurate risk perceptions post-FHH. Of those participants who were inaccurate pre-FHH, 43.3%, 43.8%, and 34.5% for BRCA, CRC, and PRCA, respectively, adopted accurate risk perceptions post-FHH intervention. The intervention was successful in a community setting. It has the potential to lead to healthy behavior modifications because participants adopted accurate risk perceptions. We identified a substantial number of at-risk individuals who could benefit from targeted prevention strategies, thus decreasing racial/ethnic cancer disparities.

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Title: Using a Family History Intervention to Improve Cancer Risk Perception in a Black Community
Authors: Vinaya S. Murthy
Mary A. Garza
Donna A. Almario
Kristen J. Vogel
Robin E. Grubs
Elizabeth A. Gettig
John W. Wilson
Stephen B. Thomas
Publication date: 01-12-2011
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling / Issue 6/2011
Print ISSN: 1059-7700
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3599
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-011-9389-2

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Using a Family History Intervention to Improve Cancer Risk Perception in a Black Community

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