The effect of a school-based educational intervention on gender differences in reported family cancer history.

BACKGROUND: Gender differences in reported family cancer history could reduce the effectiveness of genetic screening for cancer risk. METHODS: We randomized 6 schools to teach ninth graders about health genealogy through workshops or offered a delayed intervention. We assessed the effect of the intervention on reported family history of various cancers along with gender and side of the family from which cancer was reported. RESULTS: Girls reported more breast cancer in the family. Both sexes reported more maternal relatives with breast cancer. There were no treatment group effects. CONCLUSIONS: There are gender differences in reported family history of breast cancer.