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Family history of cancer predicts Papanicolaou screening behavior for African American and white women
Author(s) -
Williams Karen Patricia,
Reiter Paul,
Mabiso Athur,
Maurer Joel,
Paskett Electra
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.23994
Subject(s) - family history , papanicolaou stain , medicine , cervical cancer , cancer , pap test , papanicolaou test , cancer screening , logistic regression , national survey of family growth , gynecology , demography , gerontology , cervical cancer screening , population , family planning , environmental health , sociology , research methodology
BACKGROUND: Understanding women's motivations for getting Papanicolaou (Pap) screening has the potential to impact cancer disparities. This study examined whether having a family history of cancer was a predictor for Pap screening. METHODS: By using the National Health Interview Survey 2000 Cancer Control and Family modules, we identified a subsample (n=15,509) of African American (n=2774) and white women (n=12,735) unaffected by cancer, with and without a family history of cancer. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: African American and white women with a positive family history of cancer were 42% ( P < .0001) more likely to have had a recent Papanicolaou (Pap) test than their counterparts without a family history of cancer. Among African American women, those with a positive family history of cancer were 53% more likely to have had a recent Pap test, whereas among white women those with a positive family history of cancer were 41% more likely to have received a Pap test. African American women with a family history of cancer were more likely to have had a recent Pap test than white women with or without a family history of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a unique perspective on Pap screening behavior. Having an immediate family member with any cancer statistically predicted having a recent Pap test for both African American and white women. Because these results demonstrated that regardless of the cancer type, having an immediate affected family member is a motivator for cervical cancer screening behavior, healthcare providers managing cancer treatment patients have a teachable opportunity that extends beyond the patient. Cancer 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.