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Predicting perceived vulnerability for breast cancer among women with an average breast cancer risk
Author(s) -
Eibner Frauke,
Barth Jürgen,
Bengel Jürgen
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
british journal of health psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 2044-8287
pISSN - 1359-107X
DOI - 10.1348/135910705x71425
Subject(s) - breast cancer , worry , optimism , risk perception , medicine , health belief model , cancer , vulnerability (computing) , risk factors for breast cancer , clinical psychology , public health , psychology , oncology , health education , anxiety , psychiatry , social psychology , pathology , perception , computer security , neuroscience , computer science
Objectives. The purpose of the present study was to investigate predictors of perceived vulnerability for breast cancer in women with an average risk for breast cancer. On the basis of empirical findings that suggested which variables might be associated with perceived vulnerability for breast cancer, we investigated whether knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, cancer worry, intrusions about breast cancer, optimism about not getting cancer and perceived health status have a predictive value for perceived breast cancer vulnerability. Design. In a 3‐step approach, we recruited 292 women from the general public in Germany who had neither a family history of breast cancer nor breast cancer themselves. After receiving an initial informational letter about study objectives, the women were interviewed by telephone and then asked to fill in a self‐administered questionnaire. Methods. We used structural equation modelling and hypothesized that each of the included variables has a direct influence on perceived vulnerability for breast cancer. Results. We found a valid model with acceptable fit indices. Optimism about not getting cancer, intrusions about breast cancer and women's perceived health status explained 32% of the variance of perceived vulnerability for breast cancer. Cancer worry and knowledge about breast cancer did not influence perceived vulnerability for breast cancer. Conclusion. Perceived vulnerability for breast cancer is associated with health‐related variables more than with knowledge about breast cancer risk factors.