Description

For sample adults with at least one full sister (FSNUM) who ever had cancer of any kind (FSNHCAN), FSMNCAN reports whether the respondent had at least one full sister who ever had melanoma.

FSMNCAN is one of a series of related variables in the "Family History" section of the 2000 and later Cancer Modules. In all years, this section begins with the general comment:

According to the 2000 and 2005 Field Representative's Manuals, the purpose of this and other family cancer history questions is to "determine the prevalence of cancer in families in the population" to "allow a greater understanding of how data obtained from genetics clinics can be applied to the general population." The 2010 and later Manuals provide a similar rationale, stating that the collection of these data "will allow analysts a greater understanding of how family history relates to cancer."

The Manuals for all years define "full siblings" as people who have "the same biological father and mother." Thus, a respondent's full sister is a sister who has the same biological father and mother as the respondent (i.e., not half-sisters, stepsisters, adopted sisters, foster sisters, or sisters-in-law).

Comparability

FSMNCAN is fully comparable between 2005 and later years.

FSMNCAN is largely comparable between 2000 and 2005 and later years, though there may be some difference in the meaning of "refused," "not ascertained," and "don't know" as used in in 2000 compared to the meanings of those terms in 2005 and later years.

The Survey Descriptions for all years caution that while "all sample adults were to be asked the questions in the Cancer Control Module, some persons did not complete the supplement." In 2000, persons who answered less than 50 percent of the questions in the supplement had a value of "not ascertained" automatically inserted in the appropriate fields of the Cancer Control Module file, whereas in 2005 and later years, persons who answered none of the questions in the supplement had a value of "not ascertained" automatically inserted in the appropriate fields of the Cancer Control Module file.

Universe

Availability

• 2000, 2005, 2010

Weights

• 2000, 2005, 2010 : SAMPWEIGHT