BSABLCAN is a two-digit count variable.

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

Description

For sample adults with at least one biological son (BSNUM) who ever had bladder cancer (BSBLCAN), BSABLCAN reports the number of the respondent's biological sons who were under 50 years of age when the bladder cancer was first diagnosed.

BSABLCAN is one of a series of related variables in the "Family History" section of the 2000, 2005, and 2010 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 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 son is a son related to the respondent by blood (i.e., not a stepson, adopted son, foster son, or son-in-law).

Comparability

BSABLCAN is substantively comparable across all years except for a change in how missing data were treated between 2000 and 2005.The variable is comparable for 2005-forward

Missing data values were treated differently for sample adults who completed only part of the cancer supplement 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

Availability

• 2000, 2005, 2010

Weights

• 2000, 2005, 2010 : SAMPWEIGHT