Family history of first degree as a risk factor for colorectal cancer

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between first-degree family history and colorectal cancer (CRC). METHOD: We analyzed data from 2857 controls and 1360 CRC cases, collected in the MCC-Spain project. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of association with the family history of CRC was estimated by non-conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: First-degree relatives doubled the risk of CRC (OR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.80-2.66), increasing in those with two or more (OR: 4.22; 95% CI: 2.29-7.78) and in those whose relatives were diagnosed before 50 years (OR: 3.24; 95% CI: 1.52-6.91). Regarding the association of the family history with the location, no significant differences were observed between colon and rectum, but there were in the relation of these with the age of diagnosis, having more relatives those diagnosed before 50 years (OR: 4.79; 95% CI: 2.65-8.65). CONCLUSIONS: First-degree relatives of CRC increase the chances of developing this tumor, they also increase when the relative is diagnosed at an early age. Therefore, it must be a target population on which to carry out prevention measures.