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BDNHCAN
Number of biological daughters with cancer
Return to Family Members with Cancer variables list

Codes

BDNHNCAN is a two-digit count variable.

00: Not in Universe
21: Top code of 21 or more
97: Unknown-Refused
98: Unknown-Not Ascertained
99: Unknown-Don't Know

Description

For sample adults, BDNHCAN reports the number of the respondent's biological daughters who ever had cancer of any kind.

The NHIS Field Representative Manuals define "biological" relatives as people related by blood. Thus, a respondent's biological daughter is a daughter related to the respondent by blood (i.e., not a stepdaughter, adopted daughter, foster daughter, or daughter-in-law).

BDNHCAN is one of a series of related variables in the "Family History" section of the Cancer Modules. This section begins with the general comment:

We would like to ask you a few questions about your family history of cancer.

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 subsequent Manuals provides a similar rationale, stating that the collection of this data "will allow analysts a greater understanding of how family history relates to cancer.

Comparability

Although BDNHCAN is substantively comparable across all years, users should note two changes in the recoding of values that may affect analyses of data from multiple cancer supplement years.

The first, and most recent, change affects the top code value for BDNHCAN. Prior to 2015, BDNHCAN was top coded at 21. Starting in 2015, BDNHCAN was top coded at 3. The second change, affecting how missing data values were treated for sample adults who completed only part of the cancer supplement, took place between the 2000 and 2005 cancer 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

  • 2000; 2005; 2010; 2015: Sample adults age 18+ who have one or more biological daughters.

Availability

  • 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015

Weights