Recall bias in subjective reports of familial cancer.
Both twins in a pair in which one had suffered breast cancer (115 pairs) were asked about the occurrence of cancer among first- and second-degree relatives. For all cancer sites together, there was agreement about 129 cases; another 48 cancers were mentioned only by the case twin and another 55 only by the co-twin. For breast cancer, there was agreement about 22 events; another 12 cases were provided by the cancer twin and four by the co-twin. The odds ratio for a family history of cancer was 1.14; for breast cancer the corresponding value was 1.48. The results are suggestive of some recall bias in subjective reports on familial cancer.
Floderus
B
B
Department of Environmental Hygiene, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Barlow
L
L
Mack
T M
TM
D000328:Adult; D015982:Bias; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007938:Leukemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000453:epidemiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors