Objective
To determine whether response to a dietary intervention is greater among people with family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) compared with a general population.
Design
Cohort study examining participants from two related studies.
Setting
Rural Virginia
Participants
70 people with first degree relatives (FDRs) with CRC and 113 participants from the intervention arm of a trial in the general population.
Intervention
Both studies implemented a low intensity intervention delivered via telephone and mail, including low-literacy self-help booklets and personalized dietary feedback.
Main Outcome Measures
Fat, fiber, and fruit/vegetable (FV) behavior
Analysis
Propensity score matching controlled for confounders. Mixed model ANOVAs compared samples; mediation by perceived cancer risk was assessed.
Results
Participants in both groups significantly improved fat, fiber and FV behavior at 1-month follow-up; there was significantly greater improvement in the general population sample. Cancer risk perception did not mediate the relationship between study sample and dietary change.
Conclusions and Implications
Contrary to expectations, FDRs of CRC patients did not respond better to a dietary intervention than the general population, nor was risk perception related to dietary change. Given the role of diet in CRC risk, additional research should investigate targeted strategies to improve dietary intakes of people at higher cancer risk.
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