title: Personal attributions for melanoma risk in melanoma-affected patients and family members.
abstract: Personal attributions for cancer risk involve factors that individuals believe contribute to their risk for developing cancer. Understanding personal risk attributions for melanoma may dictate gene-environment melanoma risk communication strategies. We examined attributions for melanoma risk in a population-based sample of melanoma survivors, first degree family members, and family members who are also parents (N = 939). We conducted qualitative examination of open-ended risk attributions and logistic regression examining predictors (demographics, family member type, perceived risk) of the attributions reported (ultraviolet radiation [UVR] exposure, heredity/genetics, phenotype, personal melanoma history, miscellaneous). We found a predominance of risk attributions to UVR and heredity/genetics (80 and 45% of the sample, respectively). Those reporting higher education levels were more likely to endorse attributions to heredity/genetics, as well as to phenotype, than those of lower education levels. First-degree relatives and parent family members were more likely to endorse heredity/genetic attributions than melanoma survivors; melanoma survivors were more likely to endorse personal history of melanoma attributions compared to first-degree relatives and parent family members. These findings inform the development of risk communication interventions for melanoma families.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 641 Lexington Avenue, Seventh Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA. hayj@mskcc.org
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: DiBonaventura
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baser
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Press
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shoveller
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bowen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States
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