Abstract A53: Documenting community perceptions of cancer risk, environmental health, and health behaviors: A study in metropolitan Charleston
Authors: Rice LaShanta Rice , Brandt Heather M. , Ingram Lucy Annang , Hardin James W. , Wilson Sacoby M. 
Published: October 2015

Purpose: Several studies have demonstrated the impact of cancer and environmental health disparities on African Americans, but a paucity of research has documented the risk perceptions associated with the aforementioned factors from the perspective of this population. The purpose of this study was to: 1) document perceptions of cancer risk and cancer worry, neighborhood environmental health risks, and risk-reduction health behaviors, and 2) determine the association between low perceived cancer risk and health behaviors among African Americans.

Methods: A 59-item survey was administered to respondents in Metropolitan Charleston, South Carolina (Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties) from March 2013 to September 2013. A convenience sample of males and females was recruited at local venues (e.g., libraries, housing authority, and hair salons) and community events. Eight health behaviors (sun exposure, smoking, physical activity, diet, cancer screenings, vaccinations, weight, and alcohol use) were assessed. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses (chi square), and logistic regressions were estimated using SAS 9.3.

Results: Respondents (N=405) were all African American, 81% female (n=323), 19% male (n=75), and ranged from 18 to 87 years of age (mean age=49). Most respondents' cancer risk perceptions were low and believed to be the result of past personal or family experiences and information received from a medical or health provider. The environment was perceived to play a very important role in causing disease. Specifically, 69% of respondents perceived the environment played a major role in the development of cancers. Approximately 47% of respondents rated their community as a somewhat good place to live, yet 81% of the sample reported a high level of concern about harmful environmental conditions. No significant associations were observed between perceived environmental health risk and low cancer risk perceptions, cancer worry or health behaviors. Low perceived cancer risk (absolute risk) was associated with non-alcohol consumption and colon cancer screening, sex, and older age (24-65, p&lt;.05). Cancer worry was also significantly associated with being a current smoker, having a fair diet, non-alcohol consumption, and colon cancer screening (p&lt;.05).

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that perceived cancer risk and cancer worry are important indicators of health behaviors among African Americans in environmental justice communities. In addition, African Americans in Metropolitan Charleston are generally knowledgeable about the role of the environment in cancer development. Evaluating perceived cancer risks in environmentally vulnerable populations could have long term implications for controlling cancer through preventive action. Future research will investigate the triadic relationship between neighborhood environment, risk perceptions, and health behaviors.

Citation Format: LaShanta Rice Rice, Heather M. Brandt, Lucy Annang Ingram, James W. Hardin, Sacoby M. Wilson. Documenting community perceptions of cancer risk, environmental health, and health behaviors: A study in metropolitan Charleston. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Seventh AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 9-12, 2014; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A53.