Background: 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.
Methods: We performed retrospective analysis of all referrals to the University of Chicago High Risk Colon Cancer Clinic between 1995 and 2003.
Results: 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).
Conclusions: Blacks and men had significantly decreased rates of paternal history cancer knowledge.