RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Weight Status and Perception of Colorectal Cancer Risk
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 792
OP 797
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2012.06.120017
VO 25
IS 6
A1 Heather Bittner Fagan
A1 Randa Sifri
A1 Richard Wender
A1 Elena Schumacher
A1 James F. Reed III
YR 2012
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/25/6/792.abstract
AB Background: Obesity increases the risk of many cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: This is secondary data analysis of the 2010 National Health Interview Survey data. A total of 9360 obese and overweight participants, aged 50 to 80 years, were analyzed according to their perception of their personal cancer risk. Results: Having a perception of increased risk for cancer was associated with higher CRC screening rates. However, when compared with their normal-weight counterparts, overweight and obese individuals did not perceive themselves as being at an increased risk for cancer in general or for CRC specifically. Subgroup analysis revealed one notable exception. Obese black women appeared to recognize themselves as being at higher risk for CRC. Conclusions: Most obese and overweight individuals fail to recognize their increased cancer risk. Individuals who perceive themselves as being at increased risk for cancer, especially CRC, are more likely to have undergone CRC screening. Unfortunately, obese and overweight individuals do not seem to recognize the increased cancer risk conferred by their body weight. Education is needed so that obese and overweight individuals are aware that their excess body weight is a risk factor for cancer.