Illness risk representations underlying women's breast cancer risk appraisals: A theory-informed qualitative analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study assessed the utility of Cameron's Illness Risk Representation (IRR) framework in understanding how women interpret their breast cancer risk after receiving a clinically derived estimate.

Design

Secondary qualitative analysis of two studies within the BC-Predict trial, using semi-structured telephone interviews with women aged 47-74 who received breast cancer risk estimates via population screening.

Methods

Forty-eight women were informed of their 10-year breast cancer risk (low (<1.5% risk), average (1.5-4.99%), above-average (moderate; 5-7.99%) and high (≥8%)). Moderate- and high-risk women were eligible for enhanced preventive management. Women were interviewed about their risk, with data analysed using a thematic framework approach.

Results

SUBMITTER: Woof VG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11904388 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature