Beliefs about Hereditary Susceptibility to Cancer and Desire to Know about a Genetic Predisposition: An Analysis of the NCI Health Information National Trends Survey.

Authors

Ashley N Hatch, Heidy N Medina, Matthew P Schlumbrecht, Carmen Calfa, Nicholas A Borja, Patricia I Moreno

Published in

Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Oct 28, 2026. Epub Oct 28, 2026.

Abstract

This study characterized beliefs about hereditary susceptibility to cancer and desire to know about a genetic predisposition to cancer in a nationally representative survey of US adults.
Adjusted regression models using weighted survey analysis of NCI HINTS 2020 data assessed predictors of how much respondents (1) believe genes that are inherited determine whether a person will develop cancer and (2) would want to know if they had a genetic change that increases their chance of getting cancer.
On average, respondents endorsed between "somewhat" and "a lot" for how much hereditary susceptibility determines cancer risk. Respondents believed that hereditary susceptibility to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes were similar (Means= 1.83-1.85, all p>0.6). Individuals who had health insurance (β=-0.42 - -0.37, p=0.017-0.021) and previously sought cancer information (β=-0.19, p<0.001) believed in greater hereditary susceptibility to cancer, whereas those who self-reported good health believed in less hereditary susceptibility to cancer (β=0.16, p=0.022). Individuals who believed in greater hereditary susceptibility to cancer (β=0.14, p=0.001), previously sought cancer information (β=-0.19, p=0.002), had a family history of cancer (β=-0.19, p=0.005), were less fatalistic (β=-0.08, p=0.036), and were Hispanic (β=-0.25, p=.009) or Black (β=-0.47, p<0.001) endorsed a greater desire to know about a genetic predisposition to cancer.
Efforts are needed to improve understanding of hereditary susceptibility, address fatalistic beliefs and misinformation, facilitate disclosure of family cancer history indicative of a potential genetic predisposition to cancer.
Efforts are needed to improve access to genetic counseling and testing through education and targeted interventions.

PMID:
42949762
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 29 Oct 2026.

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