Stomach cancer screening and preventive behaviors in relatives of gastric cancer patients

摘要

AIM:To investigate gastric cancer screening and preventive behaviors among the relatives of patients with gastric cancer[i.e.,gastric cancer relatives(GCRs)].METHODS:We examined the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005(KNHANESⅢ) database and compared the gastric cancer screening and preventive behaviors of GCRs(n=261)with those of non-GCRs(n=454)and controls without a family history of cancer(n=2842).RESULTS:The GCRs were more likely to undergo gastric cancer screening compared with the control group(39.2%vs 32.3%,adjusted odds ratio:1.43,CI:1.05-1.95),although the absolute screening rate was low.Dietary patterns and smoking rates did not differ significantly between the groups,and a high proportion of GCRs reported inappropriate dietary habits(i.e.,approximately 95%consumed excessive sodium,30% were deficient in vitamin C,and 85%were deficient in dietary fiber).CONCLUSION:The gastric cancer screening and preventive behaviors of GCRs have yet to be improved.To increase awareness among GCRs,systematic family education programs should be implemented.