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. 2023;1(1):2237680.
doi: 10.1080/28322134.2023.2237680. Epub 2023 Nov 17.

Rural adults' perceptions of nutrition recommendations for cancer prevention: Contradictory and conflicting messages

Melissa J Vilaro  1 , Emma Bryan  2 , Te Palani  2 , Eric J Cooks  2 , Gillian Mertens  2   3 , Mohan Zalake  4 , Benjamin C Lok  4 , Janice L Krieger  2
Affiliations

Rural adults' perceptions of nutrition recommendations for cancer prevention: Contradictory and conflicting messages

Melissa J Vilaro et al. Prev Oncol Epidemiol. 2023.

Abstract

Despite robust evidence linking alcohol, processed meat, and red meat to colorectal cancer (CRC), public awareness of nutrition recommendations for CRC prevention is low. Marginalized populations, including those in rural areas, experience high CRC burden and may benefit from culturally tailored health information technologies. This study explored perceptions of web-based health messages iteratively in focus groups and interviews with 48 adults as part of a CRC prevention intervention. We analyzed transcripts for message perceptions and identified three main themes with subthemes: (1) Contradictory recommendations, between the intervention's nutrition risk messages and recommendations for other health conditions, from other sources, or based on cultural or personal diets; (2) reactions to nutrition risk messages, ranging from aversion (e.g., "avoid alcohol" considered "preachy") to appreciation, with suggestions for improving messages; and (3) information gaps. We discuss these themes, translational impact, and considerations for future research and communication strategies for delivering web-based cancer prevention messages.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention; digital health interventions; nutrition risk factors; risk messages; rural adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations Conflicts of interest/Competing interests: Authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.

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Figure 1.
The virtual health assistant prototype. Can be customized to user preferences on features like race, gender, voice and appearance.
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