How often does family history of cancer change significantly?

January 01, 0001

How often does family history of cancer change significantly?

Family history of cancer can change a patient’s screening recommendations. These US researchers quantified how often clinically significant changes family history of cancer occur. They performed a descriptive study looking at family history data of enrollees a population- based cancer registry in the US. Colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer screening-specific analyses were performed both retrospecitively and prospectively.

The researchers found: "Retrospective analysis revealed that the percentages of participants who met criteria for high-risk screening based on family history at ages 30 and 50 years, respectively, were as follows: for colorectal cancer, 2.1% and 7.1%, for breast cancer, 7.2% and 11.4%, and for prostate cancer, 0.9% and 2.0%. In prospective analysis, the numbers of participants who newly met criteria for high-risk screening based on family history per 100 persons followed up for 20 years were 2 for colorectal cancer, 6 for breast cancer, and 8 for prostate cancer. The rate of change in cancer family history was similar for colorectal and breast cancer between the 2 analyses."

The researchers concluded: "Clinically relevant family history of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer that would result in recommendations for earlier or intense cancer screening increases between ages 30 and 50 years, although the absolute rate is low for prostate cancer."

We need to continue to update patients’ family history of cancer to be sure and provide correct screening and risk guidance.

For the full abstract, click here.

JAMA 306(2):172-178, 13 July 2011 © 2011 American Medical Association
Clinically Relevant Changes in Family History of Cancer Over Time. Argyrios Ziogas, Nora K. Horick, Anita Y. Kinney, et al.

Category: A. General/Unspecified. Keywords: cancer, prostate, colorectal, lung, family history, descriptive study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 2 August 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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