Perceived and Actual Breast Cancer Risk

Perceived risk can influence health behaviors. Studies using various populations and breast cancer risk bias assessment methods have identified both risk over- and underestimation. Among 1803 women in primary care settings, 47 percent were at average epidemiologic risk (Gail-calculated relative risk ±50 percent of age-adjusted population average) and 55 percent perceived themselves to be at average risk (compared to same-age others) but there were mismatches or ‘biases’: 31 percent underestimated personal risk; 26 percent overestimated. Multiple logistic regression revealed that smokers were more likely to overestimate risk. Overestimation decreased with more education. Mammography use did not independently predict perception bias but, among never-screened women aged over 40 years, those contemplating mammograms were most likely to overestimate risk; precontemplators were most likely to underestimate. Implications for research and intervention are discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66881/2/10.1177_135910539800300203.pd

The belief in a just world and distress at school

This article investigates the relationship between the belief in a just world (BJW) and distress at school. On the basis of just world theory, the authors argue that strong student BJW should be associated with low school distress. Two questionnaire studies with German secondary school students attending grades 7–13 are reported. Both studies found strong BJW to be associated with less distress at school, better grades, and the evaluation of grades and teachers as more just. Moreover, the relationship between strong BJW and low school distress persisted when controlled for grades, justice of grades, and teacher justice. This relationship held for all students, independently of their school track, grade level, or gender. Overall, the pattern of results reveals school distress to have a unique association with BJW and school-specific justice cognitions

Impact of risk information on perceived colorectal cancer risk: a randomized trial

The study sought to modify comparative optimism about colorectal cancer in a community sample using a method of providing risk information found to be effective in a laboratory setting. The 3185 adults from General Practice lists were randomized to three groups: (1) control—no information; (2) risk information leaflet; (3) risk and screening information leaflet. Significant comparative optimism and high numeric estimates of absolute risk were found. Risk factor information did not reduce optimistic beliefs nor modify estimates of risk. Interest in screening was high overall and not influenced by the information. Comparatively optimistic risk perceptions appear resistant to change in community settings

Supplementary Material for: Young Smokers' Interpretations of the Estimated Lung Cancer Risk Associated with a Common Genetic Variant of Low Penetrance

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