Cancer Prevention and Screening Practices of Siblings of Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Menée à partir de données auto-rapportées portant sur 2 588 frères et sœurs adultes ayant survécu à un cancer pédiatrique depuis plus de 5 ans et auprès de 43 704 témoins, cette étude transversale américaine analyse leurs pratiques en matière de dépistage et de prévention du cancer de la peau ou du col de l'utérus puis identifie les facteurs qui influencent ces pratiques
BACKGROUND: To compare the skin and breast/cervical cancer prevention/screening practices of adult siblings of childhood cancer survivors with controls and to identify modifying factors for these practices.METHODS: Cross-sectional, self-report data from 2,588 adult siblings of 5+ year survivors of childhood cancer were analyzed to assess cancer prevention/screening practices. Two age, sex, and race/ethnicity-matched samples (N = 5,915 and N = 37,789) of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System participants served as the comparison populations. Sociodemographic and cancer-related data were explored as modifying factors for sibling cancer prevention/screening practices through multivariable logistic regression.RESULTS: Compared with controls, siblings were more likely to practice skin cancer prevention behaviors: use of protective clothing [OR, 2.85; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.39-3.39], use of shade (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.88-2.36), use of sunscreen (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.14-1.40), and wearing a hat (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.58-1.98). No differences were noted for breast/cervical cancer screening including mammography and Pap testing. Having less than a high school education and lack of health insurance were associated with diminished cancer prevention/screening behaviors. Survivor diagnosis, treatment intensity, adverse health, chronic health conditions, and second cancers were not associated with sibling cancer prevention/screening behaviors.CONCLUSIONS: Siblings of cancer survivors report greater skin cancer prevention practices when compared with controls; however, no differences were noted for breast/cervical cancer screening practices. Access to care and lack of education may be associated with decreased cancer prevention/screening behaviors. Interventions are needed to address these barriers.Impact: Research should be directed at understanding the impact of the cancer experience on sibling health behaviors. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 1-11. (c)2012 AACR.