Mentor

Gadd, Holly

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2020

Abstract

Colorectal Cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women and the second leading cause of cancer related deaths (ACS, 2019). Colonoscopy screening can prevent colon cancer by early detection and removal of adenomatous colon polyps. The ACS has been lowered from age 50 to 45 due to an increase in the prevalence of colon cancer in people below the age of 50 years of age. Molecular genetic screening is a tool that providers can use to identify patients who are at risk for premature adenomas. People who have a genetic variant are more likely to develop adenomas at a young age and have a faster adenoma to adenocarcinoma conversions time. The purpose of this study is to identify if hereditary genetic screening has a positive or negative predictive value on patients who present below the screening age and have the presence of adenomas on a colonoscopy. This is a prospective study evaluated if a hereditary cancer screening assessment was a viable tool to identify patients who were at risk for early adenomas. A total of 150 charts were reviewed. The mean age of the participants was 40 years old, gender distribution (39.3%) female and (60.7%) male, average BMI was 32.85, with 76.7% non-smokers and 23% smokers. There was no statistically significant relationship found between patients who answered positive for a personal family history of colon cancer, first degree family history, and extended family history. There was a statistically significant correlation with patients who answered positive to a second-degree family history. Limitations of the study include small sample size, Participant recall or knowledge of family history and accuracy of the genetic screening process. Doctorally Prepared Nurses serve as leader working at the top of their education doing research to improve patient care outcomes. Nurse practitioners are a vital member of the healthcare team.

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