title: A cross-sectional survey to estimate the prevalence of family history of colorectal, breast and ovarian cancer in a Scottish general practice population.
abstract: A cross-sectional survey of all patients aged 30-65 in four general practices within one Local Health Care Co-operative in Fife, Scotland was undertaken to measure the prevalence of family history of colorectal, breast and ovarian cancer. A total of 7619 patients aged 30-65 responded to a postal questionnaire (response rate 59%). In all, 17% of respondents (1324, 95% Cl 16-18%) reported a relative affected by colorectal, breast or ovarian cancer. Of those, 6% (78, 95% CI 5-7%) met the Scottish guidelines for referral for genetics counselling. In all, 2% (24, 95% CI 1-3%) of all individuals with an affected relative had received genetic counselling and risk assessment. Of these, 25% (6, 95% CI 8-42%) met the moderate- or high-risk criteria for developing a cancer. In conclusion, the number of patients who are at a significantly increased risk of cancer on the basis of a family history is small (approximately 10 per General Practitioner (GP) list). It is therefore unrealistic to expect GPs to develop expertise in genetic risk estimation. A simple family history chart or pedigree is one way that a GP can, within the constraints of a GP consultation, determine which patients should be reassured and which referred to the local cancer genetic clinic.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Department, Fife NHS Board, Springfield House, Cupar, Fife, Scotland.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hinds
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cetnarskyj
authors.forename: M E M
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Porteous
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005192:Family Health; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires