A Randomized Trial of Cancer Risk and Health Education in Relatives of Colorectal Cancer Patients

Having at least one first-degree relative (FDR) with colon cancer increases an individual’s risk of developing the disease. Many relatives of cancer patients are ineligible for genetic testing and, therefore, do not receive information from a healthcare provider about the disease. Providing relatives of cancer patients with information about their risk of developing colon cancer, screening information, and other colon-related health information, may increase knowledge and screening compliance as has been shown in relatives of breast cancer patients. The primary aim of this study is to test the efficacy of two modes (in-person vs. telephone) of providing a risk counseling and health promotion intervention for relatives of cancer patients on measures of knowledge of colon cancer risk and health-related factors, comprehension of risk, understanding of screening recommendations and intent to adopt an appropriate screening regimen. Participants will be randomized into one of three study arms (in-person, telephone, control). An assessment pre- and post- intervention will be conducted. In addition, longer-term follow-ups will be carried out two months and one year following the intervention to examine the sustainability of the intervention effect.

若个体拥有至少一名一级亲属（first-degree relative, FDR）罹患结肠癌，则其自身患该疾病的风险将显著升高。诸多癌症患者的亲属无法接受基因检测，因此无法从医疗服务提供者处获取该疾病的相关健康信息。向癌症患者亲属提供结肠癌患病风险信息、筛查相关指南及其他结肠相关健康资讯，或可提升其健康知识储备与筛查依从性，这一结论已在乳腺癌患者亲属群体中得到证实。本研究的核心目标为：针对癌症患者亲属，评估两种干预模式（线下面对面干预与电话干预）的风险咨询及健康促进干预效果，具体考察其对结肠癌风险与健康相关因素知识掌握水平、风险认知程度、筛查建议理解度以及采纳合适筛查方案意愿的影响。研究对象将被随机分配至三个研究组之一：线下面对面干预组、电话干预组及对照组。本研究将在干预前与干预后分别开展评估；此外，还将在干预结束后2个月及1年进行长期随访，以验证干预效果的持续性。