Angelique F Ralph1, Brittany Ager1, Melanie L Bell2, Ian M Collins3, Lesley Andrews4, Kathy Tucker4, Kelly-Anne Phillips5, Phyllis Butow6. 1. School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Australia. 2. Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), University of Sydney, Australia; Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, USA. 3. Division of Cancer Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia. 4. Hereditary Cancer Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia. 5. Division of Cancer Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic and Analytic Epidemiology, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Australia. 6. Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), University of Sydney, Australia; Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), University of Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: phyllis.butow@sydney.edu.au.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) reduce breast cancer risk by 38%. However, uptake is low and the reasons are not well understood. This study applied protection motivation theory (PMT) to determine factors associated with intention to take SERMs. METHODS: Women at increased risk of breast cancer (N=107), recruited from two familial cancer clinics in Australia, completed a questionnaire containing measures of PMT constructs. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Forty-five percent of women said they would be likely or very likely to take SERMs in the future. PMT components accounted for 40% of variance in intention to take SERMs. Perceived vulnerability, severity and response efficacy appeared the most influential in women's decisions to take or not take SERMs. CONCLUSION: Many women are interested in SERMs as a risk management option. Accurate risk estimation and an understanding of the benefits of SERMs are critical to women's decision making. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health professionals need to explore women's perceptions of their risk and its consequences, as well as providing clear evidence-based information about the efficacy of SERMs. Exploring the source and strength of beliefs about SERMs may allow more effective, tailored counseling.
OBJECTIVE: Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) reduce breast cancer risk by 38%. However, uptake is low and the reasons are not well understood. This study applied protection motivation theory (PMT) to determine factors associated with intention to take SERMs. METHODS:Women at increased risk of breast cancer (N=107), recruited from two familial cancer clinics in Australia, completed a questionnaire containing measures of PMT constructs. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Forty-five percent of women said they would be likely or very likely to take SERMs in the future. PMT components accounted for 40% of variance in intention to take SERMs. Perceived vulnerability, severity and response efficacy appeared the most influential in women's decisions to take or not take SERMs. CONCLUSION: Many women are interested in SERMs as a risk management option. Accurate risk estimation and an understanding of the benefits of SERMs are critical to women's decision making. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health professionals need to explore women's perceptions of their risk and its consequences, as well as providing clear evidence-based information about the efficacy of SERMs. Exploring the source and strength of beliefs about SERMs may allow more effective, tailored counseling.
Authors: Kamal Mirkarimi; Firoozeh Mostafavi; Samira Eshghinia; Mohammad Ali Vakili; Rahman Berdi Ozouni-Davaji; Mohammad Aryaie Journal: Iran Red Crescent Med J Date: 2015-06-23 Impact factor: 0.611