Cancer-related Health Behaviors and College Students: Cancer Threat, Family Communication, and Demographic Factors

Objective: Our objective was to examine the relationships among cancer threat, cancer-related communication, race (ie, black, white), and sex regarding cancer risk and preventive behaviors in college students. Methods: A convenience sample (N = 249) was recruited from a Midwest university and data were collected through an online survey. Results: Multiple regression analyses indicated that women reported greater sunscreen use than men, black students who viewed cancer as a severe disease engaged in higher risky sexual behaviors than those who viewed cancer as a less severe disease, and family communication about cancer was associated with breast and testicular self-screening behaviors. Conclusions: Race may be an interacting factor with regard to cancer risk behaviors and cancer-related communication could be a possible area for outreach/education.