ASPO Abstracts
Predictors of genetic risk recall in a randomized melanoma precision prevention trial
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2022
Abstract Body:
PURPOSEAn underlying premise of genetics-based precision prevention efforts is that individuals understand and retain their genetic risk to motivate long-term preventive behavior. Here, we aimed to identify predictors of genetic risk recall among participants enrolled in a melanoma precision prevention trial.METHODSParticipants were provided information on their MC1R genetic risk (average or higher risk) as part of the intervention and asked to recall their risk category 6- and 12-months post-intervention. Predictors of recall were determined by stepwise logistic (average risk) or multinomial (higher risk) regression. Potential predictors included participant characteristics, psychosocial variables (e.g., perceived risk, perceived severity), and measures related to the prevention materials (e.g., amount read, believability).RESULTSAmong participants at average risk (n=188), 78% correctly recalled their risk, 21% didn't recall, and 1 person misremembered. Being never married, history of non-melanoma skin cancer, perceiving oneself to be unlikely to develop melanoma, amount of prevention materials read, perceived clarity of materials, and completion of the telephone follow-up were inversely associated with not recalling genetic risk. Among participants at higher risk (n=259), 50% correctly recalled, 31% didn't recall, and 19% misremembered. Amount of prevention materials read and perceived absolute chance of melanoma were inversely associated with both not recalling or misremembering genetic risk. In contrast, education was inversely associated with not recalling genetic risk but was positively associated with misremembering. Higher-risk participants were 3.61 times as likely to misremember or not recall than average risk participants (95% CI: 2.38-5.56).CONCLUSIONSLower perceived risk and lower participant engagement with the study were associated with increased risk of not recalling or misremembering. Participants at higher risk were more likely to not recall or misremember than those at average risk, suggesting self-enhancement bias or defensive mechanisms against threatening health information. Future research should explore different strategies to maximize genetic risk recall, which could enhance outcomes of precision prevention efforts.
Keywords: Melanoma, Genetic Risk Recall, Precision Prevention, Intervention trial, Genetic Testing