Patients with endometrial cancer continue to lack understanding of their risks for cancer

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2019Source: Gynecologic Oncology ReportsAuthor(s): Subhjit Sekhon, L. Stewart Massad, Andrea R. Hagemann, Rebecca Dick, Andrea Leon, Abigail S. Zamorano, Premal H. Thaker, Carolyn K. McCourt, David G. Mutch, Matthew A. Powell, Lindsay M. KurokiAbstractIt is unclear if endometrial cancer (EC) patients are aware of their modifiable risk factors. We administered a 33-item questionnaire to EC patients at a university-based cancer center to assess their understanding of how comorbidities and lifestyle/sexual behaviors impact their cancer risk. We also inquired about their access to a primary care physician (PCP). Pearson's χ2 test or Fisher's exact test were used to assess differences in understanding based on a dichotomized Charlson comorbidity score, <7 vs ≥7. Of the 50 surveyed women (81% response rate), 39 reported hypertension (80%) and 36 (72%) diabetes. All had a PCP. Most were aware that obesity contributes to diabetes (43/48, 90%), hypertension (42/48, 88%), and heart attack (42, 88%), but only 19/49 (39%) knew that EC is more common in overweight/obese women. More than half lacked understanding of the following risks including modifiable risk factors–unhealthy diet (31, 62%), hormone replacement therapy (38, 76%), alcohol (30, 60%), and the protective effects of cigarette smoking (38, 76%). Most also incorrectly identified the following sexual health factors as risks for EC: early coitarche (30, 60%), or having an abo...
Source: Gynecologic Oncology Reports - Category: OBGYN Source Type: research