The effect of a school-based educational intervention on gender differences in reported family cancer history.
BACKGROUND
Gender differences in reported family cancer history could reduce the effectiveness of genetic screening for cancer risk.


METHODS
We randomized 6 schools to teach ninth graders about health genealogy through workshops or offered a delayed intervention. We assessed the effect of the intervention on reported family history of various cancers along with gender and side of the family from which cancer was reported.


RESULTS
Girls reported more breast cancer in the family. Both sexes reported more maternal relatives with breast cancer. There were no treatment group effects.


CONCLUSIONS
There are gender differences in reported family history of breast cancer.
Quillin
John M
JM
Department of Human Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0033, USA. jquillin@mcvh-vcu.edu
Bodurtha
Joann N
JN
McClish
Donna K
DK
Hoy
Kristyn N
KN
Wallace
Ian J
IJ
Westerberg
Alice
A
Danish
Steven J
SJ
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires