Racial and Gender Disparities in Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment: The Role of Family History

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to examine racial/ethnic and gender differences in self-reported family cancer history knowledge in patients at high risk for hereditary colon cancer syndromes. We performed retrospective analysis of all referrals to the University of Chicago High Risk Colon Cancer Clinic between 1995 and 2003. We found hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer and familial adenomatous polyposis in 17% and 9% of Whites, respectively, and 6% and 0% of Blacks, respectively. Unknown paternal history was found in 6.5% of Whites and 18.9% of Blacks (23% men, 11% women). Blacks and men had significantly decreased rates of paternal history cancer knowledge.