Abstract
In order to study recall bias in self-reported family history of breast cancer, we selected a sample of cases and controls from a case–control study nested in a cohort, and compared family history reported in a questionnaire at enrollment, and after the development of the disease. We assessed whether changes occurred in self-reported familial breast cancer due to a change in health status in women who developed breast cancer. The κ of agreement for maternal history of breast cancer was 0.92 in cases, and 1.00 in controls; the κ for history of breast cancer in sisters was 0.65 in cases, 0.88 in controls. By comparing two questionnaires collected before the diagnosis of the cases (index date), and one questionnaire administered after the index date, we were able to assess that the changes in answer observed among the cases were recorded in the second questionnaire before the index date, and therefore were independent from the diagnosis of cancer. The study seems to suggest that change in recall is of limited importance when collecting family history of first degree relatives, and that women recall the health history of their mother better than the health history of their sisters.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kerber RA, Slattery ML. Comparison of self-reported and database-linked family history of cancer data in a case–control study. Am J Epidemiol 1997; 146: 244–248.
Love RR, Evans AM, Josten DM. The accuracy of patient reports of a family history of cancer. J Chron Dis 1985; 38: 289–293.
Bondy ML, Strom SS, Colopy MW, Brown BW, Strong LC. Accuracy of family history of cancer obtained through interviews with relatives of patients with childhood sarcoma. J Clin Epidemiol 1994; 47: 89–96.
Floderus B, Barlow L, Mack TM. Recall bias in subjective reports of familial cancer. Epidemiology 1990; 1: 318–321.
Parent ME, Ghadirian P, Lacroix A, Perret C. Accuracy of reports of familial breast cancer in a case–control series. Epidemiology 1995; 6: 184–186.
Parent ME, Ghadirian P, Lacroix A, Perret C. The reliability of recollections of family history: Implications for the medical provider. J Cancer Educ. 1997; 12: 114–120.
Toniolo PG, Pasternack BS, Shore RE, et al. Endogenous hormones and breast cancer: A prospective cohort study. Breast Cancer Res Treat 1991; 18: 23–27.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Garbers, V., Toniolo, P. & Taioli, E. Changes in self-reported family history of breast cancer with change in case–control status. Eur J Epidemiol 17, 517–520 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014500204757
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014500204757