Cancer Risk and Screening Rates

If you knew your individual risk for colorectal cancer would it motivate you to be screened for the disease?

A new study in the Annals of Internal Medicine included 783 people at average risk for colorectal cancer, who had not followed recommended screening guidelines to date. They were randomly chosen to receive either usual care or undergo a personalized genetic and environmental risk assessment.

After 6 months, the researchers found that undergoing personal risk assessment did not alter the rate of screening.

The researchers say while their findings contradict a common claim that enhanced knowledge of individual genetic makeup will promote healthier behaviors, they did see a consistent increase in knowledge about colorectal cancer screening and genomics suggesting a positive educational outcome.

I’m Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the information you need to protect your health.

Source http://ift.tt/1ykajij