population-based prevalence of cancer family history in southeastern iran

Background: cancer family history (cfh) could be an effective non-invasive preventive tool for cancer screening. there are limited data on the prevalence of cfh. objectives: we aimed to estimate a robust population-based prevalence of cfh in southeastern iran. methods: this study is a population-based survey. participants were recruited in a multistage proportional-to-size cluster sampling design. a validated interview form was used, including a pedigree table and a cancer detail table. a positive cfh was defined as a verbal self-report of cancer diagnosis in at least 1 relative. the cfh prevalence was estimated according to age, gender, residential area, relatives’ closeness, and cancer type. estimated prevalence values were corrected for the sensitivity of self-reported cfh in a monte carlo-based sensitivity analysis. results: a total of 2057 interviews with a male-female ratio of 1.14: 1 were analyzed. the overall prevalence (95% uncertainty level (ul)) of cfh in at least 1 relative (first or second-degree relatives (fdr/sdr)) was 37.06 (27.50, 47.05). the prevalence (95% ul) of cfh in at least 1 female and male fdr was 12.54 (8.62, 17.25) and 11.07 (7.22, 15.34), respectively. the prevalence (95% ul) of a positive history of lung, breast, and colorectal cancers in at least 1 fdr was 2.05 (1.36, 2.90), 1.36 (0.79, 2.08), and 1.23 (0.63, 2.02), respectively. conclusions: the prevalence of positive cfh in fdrs is less than that of developed countries and exceeds 11.8% in the general population of southeastern iran. cfh taking by general practitioners in routine visits is recommended as a screening tool in this population.