Examining social class as it relates to heuristics women use to determine the trustworthiness of information regarding the link between alcohol and breast cancer risk

Meyer, S. B., Lunnay, B., Warin, M., Foley, K., Olver, I. N., Wilson, C., Macdonald S., S. and Ward, P. R. (2022) Examining social class as it relates to heuristics women use to determine the trustworthiness of information regarding the link between alcohol and breast cancer risk. PLoS ONE, 17(9), e0270936. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270936) (PMID:36095014) (PMCID:PMC9467310)

Abstract

Background: High rates of alcohol consumption by midlife women, despite the documented risks associated with breast cancer, varies according to social class. However, we know little about how to develop equitable messaging regarding breast cancer prevention that takes into consideration class differences in the receipt and use of such information. Objective: To explore the heuristics used by women with different (inequitable) life chances to determine the trustworthiness of information regarding alcohol as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer risk. Methods and materials: Interviews were conducted with 50 midlife (aged 45–64) women living in South Australia, diversified by self-reported alcohol consumption and social class. Women were asked to describe where they sought health information, how they accessed information specific to breast cancer risk as it relates to alcohol, and how they determined whether (or not) such information was trustworthy. De-identified transcripts were analysed following a three-step progressive method with the aim of identifying how women of varying life chances determine the trustworthiness of alcohol and breast cancer risk information. Three heuristics were used by women: (1) consideration of whose interests are being served; (2) engagement with ‘common sense’; and (3) evaluating the credibility of the message and messenger. Embedded within each heuristic are notable class-based distinctions. Conclusions: More equitable provision of cancer prevention messaging might consider how social class shapes the reception and acceptance of risk information. Class should be considered in the development and tailoring of messages as the trustworthiness of organizations behind public health messaging cannot be assumed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The funding source is the Australian Research Council (ARC) DP190103434.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Macdonald, Professor Sara

Creator Roles

Macdonald S., S.: Funding acquisition, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Meyer, S. B., Lunnay, B., Warin, M., Foley, K., Olver, I. N., Wilson, C., Macdonald S., S., and Ward, P. R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care
• Journal Name: PLoS ONE
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• ISSN (Online): 1932-6203
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 Meyer et al.
• First Published: First published in PLoS ONE 17(9): e0270936
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License