Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Familial Cancer 3/2008

01-09-2008

Family history of cancer in Brazil: is it being used?

Authors: Danilo V. Viana, Juvenal R. N. Góes, Cláudio S. R. Coy, Maria de Lourdes Setsuko Ayrizono, Carmen S. P. Lima, Iscia Lopes-Cendes

Published in: Familial Cancer | Issue 3/2008

Login to get access

Abstract

In developing countries, low budgets make the issue of integrating genetics into clinical practice a challenge, a situation in which the use of family history (FH) becomes important for patient care, as it is a low cost strategy and a risk assessment tool. The purpose of this study was to review medical records of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) seen in a public University Hospital and evaluate how often FH of cancer is registered. Initially we searched a database for patients who were seen in our hospital between 2002 and 2004 with the diagnosis of CRC. We found 415 patients, 104 of whom were excluded. A total of 311 charts were reviewed and classified into 3 groups. Group A: no FH documented; group B: FH was documented, but FH of cancer was not collected; and group C: FH of cancer was documented. We also investigated what type of information was recorded, in order to verify if important elements were assessed. Ninety-eight charts (31.5%) were classified in group A, 20 (6.5%) in group B, and 193 (62%) in group C. In addition, we observed that important information regarding affected relatives was not collected in most of the charts. In conclusion, we found that although FH of cancer was recorded in 62% of charts of patients with CRC, information that could be relevant for risk assessment and management of at-risk families was missing. Our findings expose an important problem in health education that could reflect negatively in the quality of medical assistance to individuals at risk for familial cancer.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Teixeira HV, Teixeira MG (2003) Financiamento da Saude pública no Brasil: a expriência do SIOPS (Public health financing in Brazil: the Siops experience). Ciência e Saúde Coletiva 8(2):379–391 Teixeira HV, Teixeira MG (2003) Financiamento da Saude pública no Brasil: a expriência do SIOPS (Public health financing in Brazil: the Siops experience). Ciência e Saúde Coletiva 8(2):379–391
2.
go back to reference Scheuner MT, Wang SJ, Raffel LJ, Larabell SK, Rotter JI (1997) Family history: a comprehensive genetic risk assessment method for the chronic conditions of adulthood. Am J Med Genet 71(3):315–324PubMedCrossRef Scheuner MT, Wang SJ, Raffel LJ, Larabell SK, Rotter JI (1997) Family history: a comprehensive genetic risk assessment method for the chronic conditions of adulthood. Am J Med Genet 71(3):315–324PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Yoon PW, Scheuner MT, Khoury MJ (2003) Research priorities for evaluating family history in the prevention of common chronic diseases. Am J Prev Med 24(2):128–135PubMedCrossRef Yoon PW, Scheuner MT, Khoury MJ (2003) Research priorities for evaluating family history in the prevention of common chronic diseases. Am J Prev Med 24(2):128–135PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Ramsey SD, Burke W, Pinsky L, Clarke L, Newcomb P, Khoury MJ (2005) Family history assessment to detect increased risk for colorectal cancer: conceptual considerations and a preliminary economic analysis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 14(11):2494–2500PubMedCrossRef Ramsey SD, Burke W, Pinsky L, Clarke L, Newcomb P, Khoury MJ (2005) Family history assessment to detect increased risk for colorectal cancer: conceptual considerations and a preliminary economic analysis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 14(11):2494–2500PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Guttmacher AE, Collins FS, Carmona RH (2004) The family history–more important than ever. N Engl J Med 351(22):2333–2336PubMedCrossRef Guttmacher AE, Collins FS, Carmona RH (2004) The family history–more important than ever. N Engl J Med 351(22):2333–2336PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Rich EC, Burke W, Heaton CJ, Haga S, Pinsky L, Short MP et al (2004) Reconsidering the family history in primary care. J Gen Intern Med 19(3):273–280PubMedCrossRef Rich EC, Burke W, Heaton CJ, Haga S, Pinsky L, Short MP et al (2004) Reconsidering the family history in primary care. J Gen Intern Med 19(3):273–280PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Khoury MJ, Little J, Burke K (2004) Human genome epidemiology. New York: Oxford University Press Khoury MJ, Little J, Burke K (2004) Human genome epidemiology. New York: Oxford University Press
8.
go back to reference Love RR, Evans AM, Josten DM (1985) The accuracy of patient reports of a family history of cancer. J Chronic Dis 38(4):289–293PubMedCrossRef Love RR, Evans AM, Josten DM (1985) The accuracy of patient reports of a family history of cancer. J Chronic Dis 38(4):289–293PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Sweet KM, Bradley TL, Westman JA (2002) Identification and referral of families at high risk for cancer susceptibility. J Clin Oncol 20(2):528–537PubMedCrossRef Sweet KM, Bradley TL, Westman JA (2002) Identification and referral of families at high risk for cancer susceptibility. J Clin Oncol 20(2):528–537PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Severin M (1999) Genetic susceptibility for specific cancers: medical liability of the clinician. Cancer 86:2564–2569PubMedCrossRef Severin M (1999) Genetic susceptibility for specific cancers: medical liability of the clinician. Cancer 86:2564–2569PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Lynch HT (2002) Cancer family history and genetic testing: are malpractice adjudications waiting to happen? Am J Gastroenterol 97(3):51CrossRef Lynch HT (2002) Cancer family history and genetic testing: are malpractice adjudications waiting to happen? Am J Gastroenterol 97(3):51CrossRef
12.
go back to reference Lynch HT, Follett KL, Lynch PM, Albano WA, Mailliard JL, Pierson RL (1979) Family history in an oncology clinic: implications for cancer genetics. JAMA 242(12):1268–1272PubMedCrossRef Lynch HT, Follett KL, Lynch PM, Albano WA, Mailliard JL, Pierson RL (1979) Family history in an oncology clinic: implications for cancer genetics. JAMA 242(12):1268–1272PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Church J, McGannon E (2000) Family history of colorectal cancer: how often and how accurately is it recorded? Dis Colon Rectum 43(11):1540–1544PubMedCrossRef Church J, McGannon E (2000) Family history of colorectal cancer: how often and how accurately is it recorded? Dis Colon Rectum 43(11):1540–1544PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Murff HJ, Byrne D, Syngal S (2004) Cancer risk assessment: quality and impact of the family history interview. Am J Prev Med 27(3):239–245PubMed Murff HJ, Byrne D, Syngal S (2004) Cancer risk assessment: quality and impact of the family history interview. Am J Prev Med 27(3):239–245PubMed
15.
go back to reference Fuchs CS, Giovannucci EL, Colditz GA, Hunter DJ, Speizer FE, Willett WC (1994) A prospective study of family history and the risk of colorectal cancer. N Engl J Med 331(25):1669–1674PubMedCrossRef Fuchs CS, Giovannucci EL, Colditz GA, Hunter DJ, Speizer FE, Willett WC (1994) A prospective study of family history and the risk of colorectal cancer. N Engl J Med 331(25):1669–1674PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Lynch HT, Lynch PM, Albana WA (1979) Hereditary cancer: ascertainment and management. CA Cancer J Clin 29:216–232PubMedCrossRef Lynch HT, Lynch PM, Albana WA (1979) Hereditary cancer: ascertainment and management. CA Cancer J Clin 29:216–232PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference St. John DJB, McDermott FT, Hopper LJ, Debney EA, Johnson WR, Hughes ESR (1993) Cancer risk in relatives of patients with common colorectal cancer. Ann Intern Med 118:785–790PubMed St. John DJB, McDermott FT, Hopper LJ, Debney EA, Johnson WR, Hughes ESR (1993) Cancer risk in relatives of patients with common colorectal cancer. Ann Intern Med 118:785–790PubMed
18.
go back to reference Manne S, Markowitz A, Winawer S, Guillem J, Meropol NJ, Haller D et al (2003) Understanding intention to undergo colonoscopy among intermediate-risk siblings of colorectal cancer patients: a test of a mediational model. Prev Med 36:71–84PubMedCrossRef Manne S, Markowitz A, Winawer S, Guillem J, Meropol NJ, Haller D et al (2003) Understanding intention to undergo colonoscopy among intermediate-risk siblings of colorectal cancer patients: a test of a mediational model. Prev Med 36:71–84PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Lynch HT, Boland CR, Rodriguez-Bigas MA, Amos C, Lynch JF, Lynch PM (2007) Who should be sent for genetic testing in hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes? J Clin Oncol 25(23):3534–3542PubMedCrossRef Lynch HT, Boland CR, Rodriguez-Bigas MA, Amos C, Lynch JF, Lynch PM (2007) Who should be sent for genetic testing in hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes? J Clin Oncol 25(23):3534–3542PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Umar A, Risinger JI, Hawk ET, Barrett JC (2004) Testing guidelines for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 4(2):153–158PubMed Umar A, Risinger JI, Hawk ET, Barrett JC (2004) Testing guidelines for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 4(2):153–158PubMed
21.
go back to reference Boardman LA (2002) Heritable colorectal cancer syndromes: recognition and preventive management. Gastroenterol Clin N Am 31:1107–1131CrossRef Boardman LA (2002) Heritable colorectal cancer syndromes: recognition and preventive management. Gastroenterol Clin N Am 31:1107–1131CrossRef
22.
go back to reference Vasen HFA, Möslein G, Alonso A, Bernstein I, Bertario L, Blanco I et al (2007) Guidelines for the clinical management of Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis cancer). J Med Genet 44:353–362PubMedCrossRef Vasen HFA, Möslein G, Alonso A, Bernstein I, Bertario L, Blanco I et al (2007) Guidelines for the clinical management of Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis cancer). J Med Genet 44:353–362PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference van Dijk DA, Oostindiër MJ, Kloosterman-Boele WM, Krijnen P, Vasen HFA (2007) Family history is neglected in the work-up of patients with colorectal cancer: a quality assessment using cancer registry data. Fam Cancer 6:131–134PubMedCrossRef van Dijk DA, Oostindiër MJ, Kloosterman-Boele WM, Krijnen P, Vasen HFA (2007) Family history is neglected in the work-up of patients with colorectal cancer: a quality assessment using cancer registry data. Fam Cancer 6:131–134PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Umar A, Boland CR, Terdiman JP, Syngal S, de la Chapelle A, Rüschoff J et al (2004) Revised Bethesda guidelines for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome) and microsatellite instability. J Natl Cancer Inst 96(4):261–268PubMedCrossRef Umar A, Boland CR, Terdiman JP, Syngal S, de la Chapelle A, Rüschoff J et al (2004) Revised Bethesda guidelines for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome) and microsatellite instability. J Natl Cancer Inst 96(4):261–268PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Family history of cancer in Brazil: is it being used?
Authors
Danilo V. Viana
Juvenal R. N. Góes
Cláudio S. R. Coy
Maria de Lourdes Setsuko Ayrizono
Carmen S. P. Lima
Iscia Lopes-Cendes
Publication date
01-09-2008
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Familial Cancer / Issue 3/2008
Print ISSN: 1389-9600
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7292
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10689-008-9180-1

Other articles of this Issue 3/2008

Familial Cancer 3/2008 Go to the issue
Webinar | 19-02-2024 | 17:30 (CET)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are novel agents that have shown promise across multiple tumor types. Explore the current landscape of ADCs in breast and lung cancer with our experts, and gain insights into the mechanism of action, key clinical trials data, existing challenges, and future directions.

Dr. Véronique Diéras
Prof. Fabrice Barlesi
Developed by: Springer Medicine