The purpose of this study is to find out whether the way a breast cancer risk estimate is presented affects how women feel about their risk and whether they believe the estimate is accurate for them. Women aged 39-74 will complete an online survey in which they receive a personalized breast cancer risk estimate using the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT). The study includes two experiments. In the first experiment, women are randomly assigned to receive their estimate in different formats: some will see their risk over 5 years, 10 years, or a lifetime, and some will see their risk expressed out of 100 women or out of 1,000 women. In the second experiment, women receive their estimate and then have the opportunity to read answers to frequently asked questions about how breast cancer risk is calculated and what the estimate means. In both experiments, women are asked whether they believe the estimate reflects their true risk. Both experiments are conducted online through a national survey panel.
Female sex
Age 39-74 (i.e., people who are eligible for routine breast cancer screening and for whom guidelines recommend an informed, risk-based decision)
English literacy
breast cancer
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
Known BRCA1/2 gene mutation
Factorial
Risk Presentation Format
BehavioralParticipants receive a personalized breast cancer risk estimate generated by the Gail Model. The format of the estimate varies by random assignment across two dimensions: temporal framing (5-year, 10-year, or lifetime risk) and denominator (risk expressed out of 100 women or out of 1,000 women). All other elements of the risk presentation are held constant across conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions Exposure
BehavioralParticipants receive a personalized breast cancer risk estimate generated by the Gail Model and then view an interactive FAQ document. The FAQ document was developed from qualitative interviews with women who had previously rejected their risk estimates and addresses common questions about how breast cancer risk is calculated, what factors the model does and does not include, what different risk levels mean, and how to discuss results with a physician. FAQ items are displayed as expandable questions; participants click to reveal answers. All participants receive the same FAQ document.
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Treatment groupsSee each treatment group below.
Risk Skepticism
Participants' perception of their Gail model risk estimate is trichotomized into three categories: Underestimator (believed risk is lower than estimate), Agreer (believed risk equals estimate), and Overestimator (believed risk is higher than estimate).
Risk Perception
This measure includes two Likert scale questions assessing the perceived likelihood of developing cancer and the level of worry about getting cancer.
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University of Colorado, Denver
Lead sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborator
This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options:
