Positive family history promotes participation in colorectal cancer screening

• Published in: Bratislavské lékarské listy Vol. 106; no. 10; p. 318
• Main Authors: Hlavaty, T, Lukac, L, Huorka, M, Bezayova, T, Duris, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovakia 2005
• Subjects: Aged; Colonoscopy; Colorectal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Colorectal Neoplasms - genetics; Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis - diagnosis; Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis - genetics; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Testing; Humans; Male; Patient Acceptance of Health Care
• ISSN: 0006-9248

Participation rates in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening are rather low. We evaluated the interest of first degree relatives (FDR) of CRC patients to participate in a colonoscopy screening and compared the findings to controls with a negative family history. There were 235 CRC patients diagnosed in our centre in 1984-2001. These were mailed an invitation letter for a preventive examination for their FDR older than 40 years and a questionnaire about occurrence of malignancies in their family. Colonoscopy was performed in 52 FDR and sex/age matched controls. The questionnaire was delivered to 196 patients. Thirty four (17.3%) patients responded. Positive family history for CRC was reported in 12/34 (35.3%) patients, compared to expected 3.4 patients (p = 0.04; OR 4.2; 95% CI = 1.05-17.89). Fifty two of 94 (55.3%) FDR participated in a screening and CRC was diagnosed in 2 and CRA in 18 patients compared to 1 CRC and 9 CRA in control group (p = 0.04; Kaplan-Meier p = 0.04). Positive family history seems to be a motivation factor for a participation in a CRC screening program. Consistent with previous studies the prevalence of CRA and CRC was significantly higher in the group of FDR compared to controls (Tab. 3, Fig. 1, Ref. 20).