Abstract A68: Familial colorectal cancer registry in Hispanics: A feasibility study

Background: In Puerto Rico (PR), colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the second most common cause of cancer in men and women. Incidence and mortality of CRC are increasing in Puerto Rican Hispanics, especially among young individuals. Screening rates for CRC are lower in Hispanic-American individuals compared to non-Hispanic patients. However, there is limited data on genetic epidemiological CRC disparities in Hispanic patients. Objectives: (1) To prospectively identify and recruit 30 probands with a family history of CRC and 15 family-history negative. (2) To prospectively identify and recruit selected relatives from the 45 probands. Methods: Eligible cases are Hispanic patients with incident diagnosis of CRC, ≥ 21 years old. We identified the probands and their selected family members using the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry from July 1, 2007 to the present. Preliminary data and recruitment: Seven hundred and fifty-one communications were sent to the physicians, three hundred and seventy-four communications were responded (374/751=49.8%). Three hundred and forty-one communications were sent to the patients, one hundred and forty-seven letters were responded (147/341=43.1%) and 16 refused. One hundred and fifty-nine participants (probands and relatives) were enrolled. One-hundred and two probands (mean age 56.9 ± 13.3 yrs., 54.9% male); 30 with and 72 without family history of CRC. At present, we collected 153 (96.2%) risk factors questionnaires, 135 (84.9%) blood samples and 60 (52.6%) blocks of tissue. Successful implementation of logistics for identification of incident CRC through the PR Central Cancer Registry during a three-year period. We established the first Familial CRC island-wide registry in Puerto Rico through the implementation of a network of community physicians, laboratories and professional societies. We are developing a tissue and blood bank with epidemiological, nutritional, and demographic data that will assist us to understand the genetic epidemiology of CRC in Puerto Ricans. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):A68.