Codes and Frequencies
Description
For sample adults whose biological mother ever had pancreas cancer (BMPCCAN), BMAPCCAN reports whether the respondent's biological mother was under 50 years of age when first diagnosed with pancreas cancer.
BMAPCCAN is one of a series of related variables in the "Family History" section of the 2000, 2005, and 2010 Cancer Modules. In all three 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 Manual provides a similar rationale, stating that the collection of this data "will allow analysts a greater understanding of how family history relates to cancer."
The Manuals for all three years define "biological" relatives as people related by blood. Thus, a respondent's biological mother is a mother related to the respondent by blood (i.e., not a stepmother, adoptive mother, foster mother, or mother-in-law).
I. Related Variables for Biological Mother
Sample adults with a biological mother who ever had cancer of any kind (BMHCAN) were asked the follow-up question, "What kinds of cancer did your [biological] mother have?" As noted in the 2000, 2005, and 2010 Survey Descriptions, respondents could specify up to two types of cancer for their parents. A complete listing of other types of cancer, besides pancreas cancer, respondents could report is found in BMPCCAN.
II. Pancreas Cancer Variables for Other Biological Relatives
In addition to questions about the respondent's biological mother, the "Family History" section of the 2000, 2005, and 2010 Cancer Modules also included questions about respondent's biological son(s), biological daughter(s), full brother(s) (i.e., brother(s) with the same biological father and biological mother as the respondent), full sister(s), and biological father. A complete listing of pancreas cancer variables for other biological relatives can be found in BMPCCAN.
Comparability
BMAPCCAN is fully comparable between 2005 and 2010.
BMAPCCAN is largely comparable between 2000 and 2005/2010, though there may be some difference in the meaning of "refused," "not ascertained," and "don't know" as used in 2000 compared to the meanings of those terms in 2005 and 2010.
The Survey Descriptions for all three 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." However, whereas 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, in both 2005 and 2010, 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: Sample adults age 18+ whose mother ever had pancreatic cancer.
Availability
- 2000, 2005, 2010
Weights
- 2000, 2005, 2010 : SAMPWEIGHT
