Abstract B017: Examining the predictors of cancer risk awareness and cancer-related beliefs among college students

Abstract Background: Despite increasing attention to cancer prevention, young adults often underestimate their vulnerability to cancer. College-age individuals (18–24 years) are particularly susceptible to misinformation and low engagement in preventive behaviors, despite that early-life risk factors' exposure may influence long-term cancer outcomes. Understanding the predictors of cancer risk awareness and cancer-related beliefs in this population is essential for designing targeted health interventions. This study aims to identify sociodemographic (age, level of education, gender, income), behavioral(temporal orientation, source of cancer information, cancer information-seeking efficacy, access to health insurance), clinical (BMI, quality of health, family history of cancer), and digital engagement factors that predict cancer risk awareness and cancer beliefs among college students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among college students (N = 375) using validated self-reported questionnaires. Cancer risk awareness and cancer-related beliefs were assessed with 14- and 13-item instruments, respectively. Social media use was measured by the Social Media Engagement Scale, and Cancer Information-Seeking Efficacy (CISE) was measured using a validated scale. Multivariate linear regressions using log-transformed outcomes and backward model selection were performed to identify significant predictors. Results: The majority of participants were female (273/364, 75%) and aged 18–24 years (334/363, 92%). Median (IQR) scores for cancer risk awareness and evidence-based cancer-related beliefs were 64.71% (47.06–82.35) and 72.72% (27.27–94.81), respectively; both outcomes were positively correlated (coefficient = 0.36, p < .001). Social media engagement was negatively associated with cancer risk awareness (β = –0.97, p = .032) and evidence-based cancer-related beliefs (β = –0.99, p = .021). Present temporal orientation was not associated with cancer risk awareness (β = –0.93, p = .078) but was negatively associated with evidence-based cancer-related beliefs (β = –0.95, p < .001). CISE was not associated with cancer risk awareness (β = 0.03, p = .397) but showed a positive association with evidence-based cancer-related beliefs (β = 0.02, p < .001). Conclusion: Findings reveal that social media engagement and temporal orientation may influence cancer-related knowledge and beliefs in college students. Although cancer information-seeking efficacy did not predict awareness, it was associated with stronger evidence-based beliefs. These insights suggest that interventions promoting digital health literacy and critical evaluation of online cancer content may improve cancer literacy in young adults. Citation Format: Adaeze C. Aroh, Ifeanyi Madujibeya. Examining the predictors of cancer risk awareness and cancer-related beliefs among college students [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2025 Sep 18-21; Baltimore, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B017.