Cancer Risk Awareness among Uninsured Primary Care Patients

Objectives: Underserved populations are at risk of low cancer risk awareness. The purpose of this study was to examine cancer risk awareness and lifestyle issues among uninsured primary care patients in the United States. Methods: Data were collected using a self-administered survey from May to July 2017 of adult free clinic patients (N = 506) who spoke English or Spanish. Results: The following factors were associated with higher levels of cancer risk awareness: higher educational attainment, better self-perceived health, and having a family history of cancer. More than 40% of free clinic patients reported a family history of cancer. Contradictory findings existed between perceived diet quality and perceived weight. Conclusions: The intersection of cancer risk awareness and lifestyle issues among underserved populations is a vital topic to improve cancer prevention and promote screening uptake. Continued research is needed to understand which types of cancer underserved populations are cognizant of developing. In addition, because community-level interventions are effective in increasing cancer risk awareness, 3 research is needed to determine ways in which health education programs focused at cancer risk awareness directed to underserved populations can be effectively implemented and evaluated.