Do Colorectal Cancer Patients Understand That Their Family Is at Risk?

• Published in: Digestive diseases and sciences Vol. 54; no. 11; pp. 2473 - 2483
• Main Authors: Rubin, David T., Gandhi, Rishi K., Hetzel, Jeremy T., Kinnear, Sydney H., Aronsohn, Andrew, Wood, Gordon, Yadron, Nicole
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.11.2009; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aged; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal Neoplasms - genetics; Colorectal Neoplasms - psychology; Family Health; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastroenterology; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Health Education; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Hepatology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Oncology; Original Article; Risk Factors; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Transplant Surgery; Tumors; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; First-degree relatives; Family risk; Patient knowledge; Colorectal cancer; Human; Rectal disease; Family study; Metabolic diseases; Malignant tumor; Knowledge; Colonic disease; Risk factor; Gastroenterology; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Family risks; Cancer
• ISSN: 0163-2116; 1573-2568
• DOI: 10.1007/s10620-009-0940-z

Aim The aim of this study was to assess whether patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) are aware of the risk to family members and to test an educational intervention. Methods CRC patients were surveyed regarding their cancer, family history, understanding of familial risk of CRC, and knowledge of existing screening guidelines for their relatives. An educational intervention was mailed to them and 6 months later they were resurveyed. Results Of 253 CRC patients who agreed to participate, only 120 (47.4%) knew that their first-degree relatives were at increased risk for CRC. African-American (AA) race, educational background, income, and previous family history of CRC were significant predictive factors on univariate analysis, but only AA race remained significant on multivariate analysis. Two hundred two patients received the educational intervention and were resurveyed. The understanding of family risk did not improve with this intervention. Conclusion Most CRC patients do not know about their family members’ risk. Better educational tools are needed.