BACKGROUND: Screening for colorectal cancer is effective in family members with a high risk of this condition, owing to single gene mutations. However, it is not known which is the most effective method of ascertaining these families at high risk. AIMS: To investigate whether a case-finding approach using computerised general practitioner (GP) registers would improve the ascertainment of families at high risk of colorectal cancer due to family history. DESIGN OF STUDY: Prospective GP register study. SETTING: General practices in Oxfordshire. METHOD: Identification of patients with colorectal cancer using GP registers, followed by a family history questionnaire survey to identify those at high risk. RESULTS: Using GP registers, 758 patients with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer were identified; a prevalence of 172 cases per 100 000 (95% confidence interval = 159 to 184). Of these, 305 patients, diagnosed under the age of 65 years, were sent a family history questionnaire. Two hundred and one (66%) patients responded to the survey; 10 (5%) patients were assessed as having high-risk families and 47 (23%) patients were assessed as having families at moderate risk. Eight of the high-risk patients had 34 first degree relatives who would benefit from routine disease surveillance, and 37 moderate-risk patients had 153 first degree relatives. Only two high-risk and six moderate-risk patients identified were previously known to the local Clinical Genetics Department. CONCLUSION: A case-finding approach using GP records and a family history questionnaire is an effective way of identifying families at high risk of developing colorectal cancer, who can then be offered disease surveillance.
BACKGROUND: Screening for colorectal cancer is effective in family members with a high risk of this condition, owing to single gene mutations. However, it is not known which is the most effective method of ascertaining these families at high risk. AIMS: To investigate whether a case-finding approach using computerised general practitioner (GP) registers would improve the ascertainment of families at high risk of colorectal cancer due to family history. DESIGN OF STUDY: Prospective GP register study. SETTING: General practices in Oxfordshire. METHOD: Identification of patients with colorectal cancer using GP registers, followed by a family history questionnaire survey to identify those at high risk. RESULTS: Using GP registers, 758 patients with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer were identified; a prevalence of 172 cases per 100 000 (95% confidence interval = 159 to 184). Of these, 305 patients, diagnosed under the age of 65 years, were sent a family history questionnaire. Two hundred and one (66%) patients responded to the survey; 10 (5%) patients were assessed as having high-risk families and 47 (23%) patients were assessed as having families at moderate risk. Eight of the high-risk patients had 34 first degree relatives who would benefit from routine disease surveillance, and 37 moderate-risk patients had 153 first degree relatives. Only two high-risk and six moderate-risk patients identified were previously known to the local Clinical Genetics Department. CONCLUSION: A case-finding approach using GP records and a family history questionnaire is an effective way of identifying families at high risk of developing colorectal cancer, who can then be offered disease surveillance.
Authors: H J Järvinen; M Aarnio; H Mustonen; K Aktan-Collan; L A Aaltonen; P Peltomäki; A De La Chapelle; J P Mecklin Journal: Gastroenterology Date: 2000-05 Impact factor: 22.682
Authors: A Micheli; E Mugno; V Krogh; M J Quinn; M Coleman; T Hakulinen; G Gatta; F Berrino; R Capocaccia Journal: Ann Oncol Date: 2002-06 Impact factor: 32.976
Authors: Liesbeth Claassen; Lidewij Henneman; A Cecile J W Janssens; Miranda Wijdenes-Pijl; Nadeem Qureshi; Fiona M Walter; Paula W Yoon; Danielle R M Timmermans Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2010-05-13 Impact factor: 3.295