Comparative optimism in breast cancer risk perception: Effects of experience and risk factor knowledge

We studied the effects of experience and risk factor knowledge on perceptions of breast cancer risk in a nationally representative sample of 1,157 middle-aged women. Personal risk was perceived to be lower than peers' risk, indicating comparative optimism. Optimism was found to depend on experience with breast cancer. Only 19% of women with affected first-degree relatives were comparative optimists, while 63% believed their personal risk was equal to and 18% believed it was higher than peers' risk. Among women having some other relative, or knowing somebody else or knowing nobody with breast cancer, the respective figures were 45-50% (lower), 45-50% (equal) and 5% (higher). Knowledge that breast cancer can be inherited did not affect risk perception, suggesting that a tendency to downplay one's personal risk persisted even in the presence of medical risk factors.