Exploring the association between dispositional cancer worry, perceived risk, and physical activity among college women.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, the authors explored the association between dispositional cancer worry (DCW), risk perceptions (RP), and physical activity (PA) among college females.

PARTICIPANTS

Four hundred fifty-one females from a midwestern university completed an online survey in September/October 2012.

METHODS

DCW severity, DCW frequency, RP, and PA were measured along with qualitative data about PA as cancer prevention.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine percent of participants did not meet PA recommendations. DCW severity was a significant predictor of meeting PA recommendations (odds ratio = 1.2, 95% confidence interval [1.00, 1.38]; p = .05). Qualitative data revealed a lack of knowledge about breast cancer risk and PA as cancer prevention.

CONCLUSIONS

College women do not engage in enough PA nor feel at risk for developing breast cancer. A lack of knowledge exists about the cancer prevention benefit of PA. Results indicate a need for PA interventions that both educate breast cancer risk and motivate health protective behaviors.