Factors that influence beliefs about the relative contribution of genetics and behaviors to cancer risk: Results from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS)

Background. Beliefs about the contribution of genes and behaviors to disease risk may influence engagement in health promoting behaviors. However, our knowledge of individuals’ beliefs about gene-behavior interactions on cancer risk is unknown. To address this gap, we analyzed HINTS data from 2012 to assess the relationship between beliefs about the genetic and behavioral contributions to cancer risk and selected sociodemographic factors, sources of health information, and health behaviors.

Methods. In a random sample of 3,630 American adults, we categorized individuals into three belief categories in accordance to their responses to related questions: (i) believe genetics mostly determine risk (19%); (ii) believe behaviors mostly determine risk (24%), and (iii) believe genetics and behaviors both determine risk (56%). Analyses using chi-square tests were performed to compare differences between categories. Multivariate logistic regression adjusting for putative confounders was used to explore relationships between belief categories.

Results. HINTS participants were distributed equally across gender with a majority non-Hispanic White (67%). Compared to Non-Hispanic Whites, Non-Hispanic Blacks [Odds Ratio (OR)=2.3 (95% CI 1.1, 4.8)] and Asians [OR=4.4 (95% CI 1.3, 14.2)] were more likely to believe cancer risk was determined mostly by behaviors rather than genetics. We observed that belief categories did not significantly differentiate with respect to other factors studied.

Conclusion. Our results suggest that beliefs about cancer risk vary across the American public, and that race/ethnicity may play a significant role. Our findings warrant further research to elucidate how beliefs about the nature of cancer risk contribute to health protective behaviors and inform public health interventions.