title: Women's preferences for selective estrogen reuptake modulators: an investigation using protection motivation theory.
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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Angelique F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Ralph
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Brittany
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ager
authors.affiliation: Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), University of Sydney, Australia; Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: Melanie L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Hereditary Cancer Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.affiliation: Hereditary Cancer Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Kelly-Anne
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Butow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D057240:Patient Preference; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
keywords: BRCA1; Breast cancer; Chemoprevention; Patient preferences; Protection motivation theory; SERMs