Design and implementation of an Internet‐Based cancer risk assessment tool: Use over 10 years

Abstract

Abstract Background Prevention and early intervention can improve survival and quality of life across all cancers. Patient understanding of risk factors and associated actionable lifestyle changes and screening programs is not well understood by clinicians Methods An Internet‐based tool, Reduce My Risk, was created in 2009 and made available on oncolink.org. Users voluntarily completed a survey regarding demographics and cancer risk factors, and received information about their cancer risk Results Twenty eight thousand and one surveys were completed from 2009 to 2019. Median age was 26 years (18–101); 60% were females, 87% lived in North America, and 37% had at least a bachelor's degree. Users reported on behavioral/ modifiable risk factors: 13% were current smokers, 52% were current consumers of alcohol, and 8% of those had ≥14 drinks/week. Body mass index (BMI) was ≥30 in 19%; 74% of all surveys reported dietary risks and 36% reported infrequent exercise. Excess UV exposure was reported by 19%. Among women, 36% reported performing breast self‐examinations monthly, and 50% reported receiving clinician breast examinations at least once every 3 years. Sixty seven percent of men 55–75 years reported screening prostate specific antigen testing, with 50% receiving annual digital rectal examinations. Nonmodifiable risk factors included family cancer history (64%), genetic syndrome (3%), and cancer‐predisposing health conditions (26%) Conclusions Ninety‐seven percent of users reported modifiable risk factors, and 60% reported ≥4 of these risk factors. Understanding detailed characteristics of a large number of respondents has the potential to improve educational interventions to reduce cancer risk through behavioral modification and cancer screening across the general public.

Keywords

• risk factors
• lifestyle
• surveys and questionnaires
• early detection of cancer
• internet
• cancer risk