US Immigrants and their Knowledge of their Family History of Cancer: A Population-Based Study.

This study explores the relationship between immigrant status and awareness of family history of cancer (FHC) among various ethnic groups in the United States. Using data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5), a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of U.S. adults, Cycle 2 (2018), a population-based cross-sectional analysis was conducted among adults aged 18 years or older. Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for sociodemographic factors such as gender, age, education level, and personal income. Overall, more than half of the participants were aware of their family history of cancer. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, immigrants demonstrated high levels of FHC knowledge, except for non-Hispanic other immigrants (OR=0.55; 95% CI=0.30-0.98), whose awareness was relatively lower. Gender, education level, and income were significant predictors of FHC awareness, with women (OR=2,12; 95% CI=1.56-2.90), individuals with higher education levels (OR=2.34; 95% CI=1.33-4.13), and those with higher income (OR=1.83; 95% CI=1.12-2.99) more likely to be aware of their family cancer history. The study highlights the importance of addressing disparities in FHC awareness, especially among immigrant populations, to improve cancer screening and treatment outcomes. Efforts to promote family conversations about cancer history, particularly among men and specific ethnic groups, could mitigate these disparities and enhance cancer risk assessment and prevention strategies.