Objective: It is unclear to what extent the increased risk of colorectal cancer in individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer and no known genetic disorders is associated with a higher adenoma prevalence. Our aim is to estimate the relative difference in adenoma prevalence and its age-pattern in individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer compared to those without. Methods: We performed a literature search to identify colonoscopy studies reporting the adenoma prevalence by age. Using multilevel logistic regression, we examined how the adenoma prevalence by age differed between individuals with and without a family history of colorectal cancer. We excluded members of families with a known genetic disorder. Results: Thirteen colonoscopy studies were identified. The adenoma prevalence was significantly higher in individuals with a family history than in those without (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4-3.5). The adenoma prevalence increased with age (OR per year of age 1.06, 95% CI 1.05-1.07). The age trend did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer have a considerably higher prevalence of adenomas compared to individuals without a family history. This is consistent with their increased risk of colorectal cancer.

, ,
doi.org/10.1007/s10552-010-9654-y, hdl.handle.net/1765/22109
Cancer Causes & Control: an international journal of studies of cancer in human populations
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Wilschut, J., Habbema, D., Ramsey, S., Boer, R., Looman, C., & van Ballegooijen, M. (2010). Increased risk of adenomas in individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer: results of a meta-analysis. Cancer Causes & Control: an international journal of studies of cancer in human populations, 21(12), 2287–2293. doi:10.1007/s10552-010-9654-y