title: All in the family? Communication of cancer survivors with their families.
abstract: Families often bear the burden of communication about cancer risk, as well as support during and after treatment for cancer in family members. These activities are left up to survivors and their families, with little support or knowledge of useful methods. We present data on aspects of family that are most relevant to risk of cancer-related communication and health promotion among family members. Families (a survivor, one first-degree relative and one parent; n = 313 families) were enrolled in the survey-based study. We assessed multiple aspects of family communication about risk for melanoma among family participants. Families communicate less frequently than desired about cancer risk. Most families do identify a "family health provider" who keeps family data and serves a resource for family members. The reasons given for lack of family communication are diverse but many can be addressed as part of a family communication intervention. Families are poised to improve their family communication about cancer risk and so can play a role in increasing the health of their members.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington, P. O. Box 357120, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. dbowen@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Deborah J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 641 Lexington Avenue, Seventh Floor, New York, NY, 10022, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 3333 California Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA.
authors.forename: Julie N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Harris-Wai
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
authors.forename: Hendrika
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meischke
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington, P. O. Box 357120, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Wylie
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Burke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000073116:Cancer Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: Family communication; Melanoma; Prevention