A family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) is well established to be a risk factor for developing CRC, however, the impact of family history on patient survival is unclear.

From February 2007 to February 2017, 580 patients with rectal cancer (RC) were enrolled and their data, including FH and clinic pathological characteristics of the tumor were retrospectively analyzed. The survival of RC patients with and without a first-degree family history of CRC and/or cancer-related Lynch syndrome were compared.

We found no association between family history and overall survival rate (Fig 1). However, age was found to modify the impact of family history on prognosis. Patients over 50 years of age with a positive family history had better survival than patients without a family history (Fig 2).

Among patients with colorectal cancer, a family history did not have a significant effect on prognosis, However, in CRC with age>50 years, FH is associated with improved survival.