Perceptions of cancer risk communication in individuals with overweight or obesity– a qualitative interview study

Participants experienced that risk information, when presented as simplified associations between obesity and cancer, felt personally relevant but difficult to act upon, and therefore burdensome to bear. Consequently, the information risks failing to prevent cancer and may instead cause harm to the people it purports to benefit. Participants suggested several ways to improve the provision and benefit of such information, including introducing multiple ways to act to reduce cancer risk that goes beyond weight reduction, and raising public awareness of the causes of obesity. Efforts to communicate risk, both to the public and to patients, require better ethical considerations of their benefits and harms. Furthermore, risk communicators should act with compassion and responsibility.