Prevalence of Self-Reported Family History of Colorectal, Breast, and ‎Ovarian Cancers in ‎Derna City, Libya: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Purpose: Family history is an important marker of increased risk for several malignancies, including ‎breast, colorectal, and ovarian cancers. However, community-level data on familial cancer ‎history remain limited in Libya. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-reported ‎family history of these cancers among residents of Derna City, Eastern Libya. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Derna City between January and ‎June 2026. A total of 300 participants were recruited using a stratified sampling approach across ‎five administrative neighborhoods. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a ‎structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics and family history of breast, ‎colorectal, and ovarian cancers among first- and second-degree relatives. Prevalence estimates ‎were calculated with 95% Wilson score confidence intervals. Results: The mean age of participants was 24.65 ± 4.70 years, and 80.7% were female. Self-reported ‎family history was most common for breast cancer, reported by 30.0% of participants (95% CI: ‎‎25.1–35.4), followed by colorectal cancer in 23.3% (95% CI: 18.9–28.4) and ovarian cancer in ‎‎13.3% (95% CI: 9.9–17.6). The findings indicate a substantial reported burden of cancer ‎occurrence among close and extended family members in the surveyed population. Conclusion: Self-reported family history of breast, colorectal, and ovarian cancers was common among ‎participants in Derna, particularly for breast and colorectal cancers. Systematic family-history ‎assessment may support local cancer-risk evaluation and clinical decision-making. ‎Interpretation should remain cautious because family histories were self-reported and the ‎sample was predominantly young, female, and university educated. (Open J Biomed Res 2026;5:123-130)