Health behaviors and cancer screening among Californians with a family history of cancer

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare health behaviors and cancer screening among Californians with and without a family history of cancer. Methods:We analyzed data from the 2005 California Health Interview Survey to ascertain cancer screening test use and to estimate the prevalence of health behaviors that may reduce the risk of cancer. We used logistic regression to control for demographic factors and health-care access.results: Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer were more likely to be up to date with mammography as compared with women with no family history of cancer (odds ratio = 1.69, 95% confidence interval (1.39, 2.04)); their health behaviors were similar to other women. Men and women with a family history of colorectal cancer were more likely to be up to date with colorectal cancer screening as compared with individuals with no family history of cancer (odds ratio = 2.77, 95% confidence interval (2.20, 3.49)) but were less likely to have a body mass index <25 kg/m 2 (odds ratio = 0.80, 95% confidence interval (0.67, 0.94)).conclusion: Innovative methods are needed to encourage those with a moderate-to-strong familial risk for breast cancer and colorectal cancer to increase their physical activity levels, strive to maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking, and reduce alcohol use. 2013:15(3):212-221 Genet Med

Does Familial History of Cancer Affect the General Health Conditions and Healthy Lifestyle Behavior of Nursing and Midwifery Students?

“…In other studies, status regarding having a cancer patient among family or relatives was found to affect early diagnosis behavior positively, increase knowledge on cancer, and provide improvement in healthy lifestyle behavior (26)(27)(28). Contrary our study, some studies in literature have found that status regarding having a cancer patient among family or relatives doesn't affect behavior regarding protection from cancer (20,(29)(30)(31)(32). It is pleasing that according to the findings of our study, students under genetic risk show positive behavior for protection from cancer.…”

Family History of Chronic Disease and Meeting Public Health Guidelines for Physical Activity: The Cooper Center Longitudinal Study

“…These results are alarming because an FHD is a predisposition for future development of chronic disease, and habitual physical activity should play an important role in mitigating disease occurrence, particularly among this at-risk population. 2,7,15,16 Thus, there is a need to increase awareness of the role physical activity plays in chronic disease prevention, alongside conveying the risks associated with having a family history of chronic disease, particularly in a first-degree relative.…”

“…5,7,17,18 Although genetic predisposition plays a major role in disease development, unhealthy lifestyle behaviors are often "inherited" as well and clustered within families. 7 Current findings might be explained by the social contagion theory, which emphasizes the role that social ties play in the propagation of norms and behaviors, such as weight loss and gain, physical activity, and dietary intake. 19 For example, Christakis and Fowler, 20 examining a network of more than 12,000 individuals enrolled in the Framingham Offspring Study, found a 40% increase in the risk for development of obesity for those whose siblings became obese.…”

“…5,6 However, beyond shared genetic risk, families may also share unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (eg, lack of physical activity), which, in turn, lead to increased risk for morbidity and mortality. 7 Thus, there might be a need to develop targeted programs to encourage individuals with an FHD to regularly engage in health-promoting physical activity. Prior to this, however, it is important to establish a knowledge base of the relationship between FHD and physical activity among adults.…”

Cigarette smoking in women after BRCA1/2 genetic test disclosure: a 5-year follow-up study of the GENEPSO PS cohort

“…[7][8][9] Although women's screening practices have been found to correlate with their families' history of breast cancer, the lifestyle risk factors seem to be similar to those of women with no family history of cancer. 10,11 Little information is available about the lifestyle habits of BRCA1/2 carriers after the disclosure of genetic test results. Preliminary findings have shown that women applying for genetic testing may have better health-related practices than members of the general population.…”