Effect of interventions including provision of personalised cancer risk information on accuracy of risk perception and psychological responses: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The studies used widely different definitions of what counted as 'accurate' risk perception and different scales for anxiety and worry, making it hard to combine the results. Most studies were conducted in the USA and focused on breast cancer, so the findings may not apply to other countries or cancer types. Many interventions combined the risk number with other things, like counselling or booklets, so it is difficult to isolate the effect of the number alone. Follow-up was usually short (immediately after or a few weeks later), so we do not know if these effects on accuracy and worry last over time.

The authors declared no competing interests. The work was supported by Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council, and the NHS.

Do not conclude that providing risk numbers is ineffective because patients don't believe them. The study shows that providing the information is safe (it doesn't cause anxiety) and improves factual accuracy, even if patients' subjective beliefs lag behind. Also, do not assume that because a patient can recall a number, they have understood or accepted their risk level.