Racial and gender disparities in hereditary colorectal cancer risk assessment: the role of family history.
BACKGROUND
In this study, we aimed to examine racial/ethnic and gender differences in self-reported family cancer history knowledge in patients at high risk for hereditary colon cancer syndromes.


METHODS
We performed retrospective analysis of all referrals to the University of Chicago High Risk Colon Cancer Clinic between 1995 and 2003.


RESULTS
We found hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer and familial adenomatous polyposis in 17% and 9% of Whites, respectively, and 6% and 0% of Blacks, respectively. Unknown paternal history was found in 6.5% of Whites and 18.9% of Blacks (23% men, 11% women).


CONCLUSIONS
Blacks and men had significantly decreased rates of paternal history cancer knowledge.
Kupfer
Sonia S
SS
Department of Gastroenterology, Univeristy of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, IL, USA.
McCaffrey
Sarah
S
Kim
Karen E
KE
D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D001741:Black or African American / Q000235:genetics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001213:Asian; D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D003123:Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D005192:Family Health / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000208:ethnology; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data