Family history of cancer predicts Papanicolaou screening behavior for African American and white women.
BACKGROUND
Understanding women's motivations for getting Papanicolaou (Pap) screening has the potential to impact cancer disparities. This study examined whether having a family history of cancer was a predictor for Pap screening.


METHODS
By using the National Health Interview Survey 2000 Cancer Control and Family modules, we identified a subsample (n=15,509) of African American (n=2774) and white women (n=12,735) unaffected by cancer, with and without a family history of cancer. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models.


RESULTS
African American and white women with a positive family history of cancer were 42% (P<.0001) more likely to have had a recent Papanicolaou (Pap) test than their counterparts without a family history of cancer. Among African American women, those with a positive family history of cancer were 53% more likely to have had a recent Pap test, whereas among white women those with a positive family history of cancer were 41% more likely to have received a Pap test. African American women with a family history of cancer were more likely to have had a recent Pap test than white women with or without a family history of cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
This study presents a unique perspective on Pap screening behavior. Having an immediate family member with any cancer statistically predicted having a recent Pap test for both African American and white women. Because these results demonstrated that regardless of the cancer type, having an immediate affected family member is a motivator for cervical cancer screening behavior, healthcare providers managing cancer treatment patients have a teachable opportunity that extends beyond the patient.
Williams
Karen Patricia
KP
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA. karen.williams@ht.msu.edu
Reiter
Paul
P
Mabiso
Athur
A
Maurer
Joel
J
Paskett
Electra
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*