Abstract
Individuals frequently have difficulty understanding how behavior can reduce genetically-conferred risk for diseases such
as colon cancer. With increasing opportunities to purchase genetic tests, communication strategies are needed for presenting
information in ways that optimize comprehension and adaptive behavior. Using the Common-Sense Model, we tested the efficacy
of a strategy for providing information about the relationships (links) among the physiological processes underlying disease
risk and protective action on understanding, protective action motivations, and willingness to purchase tests. We tested the
generalizability of the strategy’s effects across varying risk levels, for genetic tests versus tests of a non-genetic biomarker,
and when using graphic and numeric risk formats. In an internet-based experiment, 749 adults from four countries responded
to messages about a hypothetical test for colon cancer risk. Messages varied by Risk-Action Link Information (provision or
no provision of information describing how a low-fat diet reduces risk given positive results, indicating presence of a gene
fault), Risk Increment (20%, 50%, or 80% risk given positive results), Risk Format (numeric or graphic presentation of risk
increments), and Test Type (genetic or enzyme). Providing risk-action link information enhanced beliefs of coherence (understanding
how a low-fat diet reduces risk) and response efficacy (low-fat diets effectively reduce risk) and lowered appraisals of anticipated
risk of colon cancer given positive results. These effects held across risk increments, risk formats, and test types. For
genetic tests, provision of risk-action link information reduced the amount individuals were willing to pay for testing. Brief
messages explaining how action can reduce genetic and biomarker-detected risks can promote beliefs motivating protective action.
By enhancing understanding of behavioral control, they may reduce the perceived value of genetic risk information.
as colon cancer. With increasing opportunities to purchase genetic tests, communication strategies are needed for presenting
information in ways that optimize comprehension and adaptive behavior. Using the Common-Sense Model, we tested the efficacy
of a strategy for providing information about the relationships (links) among the physiological processes underlying disease
risk and protective action on understanding, protective action motivations, and willingness to purchase tests. We tested the
generalizability of the strategy’s effects across varying risk levels, for genetic tests versus tests of a non-genetic biomarker,
and when using graphic and numeric risk formats. In an internet-based experiment, 749 adults from four countries responded
to messages about a hypothetical test for colon cancer risk. Messages varied by Risk-Action Link Information (provision or
no provision of information describing how a low-fat diet reduces risk given positive results, indicating presence of a gene
fault), Risk Increment (20%, 50%, or 80% risk given positive results), Risk Format (numeric or graphic presentation of risk
increments), and Test Type (genetic or enzyme). Providing risk-action link information enhanced beliefs of coherence (understanding
how a low-fat diet reduces risk) and response efficacy (low-fat diets effectively reduce risk) and lowered appraisals of anticipated
risk of colon cancer given positive results. These effects held across risk increments, risk formats, and test types. For
genetic tests, provision of risk-action link information reduced the amount individuals were willing to pay for testing. Brief
messages explaining how action can reduce genetic and biomarker-detected risks can promote beliefs motivating protective action.
By enhancing understanding of behavioral control, they may reduce the perceived value of genetic risk information.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s10865-011-9361-5
- Authors
- Linda D. Cameron, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
- Theresa M. Marteau, King’s College London, London, UK
- Paul M. Brown, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
- William M. P. Klein, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
- Kerry A. Sherman, Macquarie University and Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Journal Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1573-3521
- Print ISSN 0160-7715