Association between Health Behaviors and a Family History of Cancer among Korean Women.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine the health-related behaviors related to a family history of cancer (FHCA) among Korean women underwent cancer screening.


METHODS
A total of 8,956 women who underwent cancer screenings during 2001-2011 at the National Cancer Center, Korea, were analyzed. The association between health-related behaviors and a FHCA were assessed using multivariate logistic regression.


RESULTS
Compared to women with no FHCA, women with FHCA were more likely to smoke (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06 to 1.65), to be exposed to passive smoking (aOR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.65), and less likely to engage in regular exercise (aOR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.41). Combined effects of selected health behaviors for FHCA were significant, although no statistically significant interactions were observed between selected health behaviors. Compared to women with no FHCA, women with FHCA were more likely to simultaneously smoke and be exposed to passive smoking (aOR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.17 to 2.31) and to simultaneously smoke and be physically inactive (aOR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.00 to 2.64).


CONCLUSIONS
The study found that women with a FHCA exhibited unhealthy behaviors compared to women without FHCA. Higher emphasis on lifestyle modifications using a new standardized tool is strongly recommended for those with a FHCA, as well as individuals who are at high risk, together with their family members.
Berlin School of Public Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Youngsun
Y
Ham
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
Hea Young
HY
Oh
Center for Uterine Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
Sang-Soo
SS
Seo
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
Mi Kyung
MK
Kim
D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D000074285:Smokers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
Early detection of cancer; Family history of cancer; Health behavior; Prevention and control