Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening Behaviors

Abstract

Guidelines published by the American College of Gastroenterologists suggest that African Americans (AA) begin preventive screening at the age of 45 years due to increased risk of colorectal cancer. This study examines characteristics associated with having fecal occult blood tests (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy among adults aged 45-75 years. Using cross-sectional data from the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey, the sample included 3,725 participants (mean age = 59.01 ± 8.41), with 59.8% female, 88.8% Caucasian, and 11.2% AA. Binary logistic regression with interactions between race, gender, and age entered in block 2 revealed that odds of having FOBT, colonoscopy, or sigmoidoscopy were increased among older individuals with higher education. Fecal occult blood test was higher among women and those with insurance. Colonoscopy was higher among those with insurance and higher income. Having a sigmoidoscopy was more likely among those with higher income but was lower among AA men. Understanding the characteristics of individuals who participate in colorectal cancer screenings may contribute to the development of interventions geared toward those who do not, particularly AA men who are at greatest risk for colorectal morbidity and mortality.

Marketing a Healthy Mind, Body, and Soul

“…The rationale for inclusion of these individuals was to capture what church members thought about cancer and cancer screening and how they perceived the church as a social marketer. Those who were younger than 50 also reflect a growing concern among public health professionals as CRC diagnosis is more common before the age of 50 among AA (Oliver et al, 2012). …”

“…Preventive Services Task Force, 2008) and are largely available, screening uptake among AA men is suboptimal and has been linked to several predictive factors (Bass et al, 2011; Christy, Moser, & Rawl, 2014). These factors that include lack of access to health care (Reynolds, 2008), late diagnosis (Oliver et al, 2012), and other factors (ACS, 2014) are often linked to adverse risk perceptions and misconceptions that exist among many AA men about CRC. Conversely, there are also predictive factors in facilitating health promoting behavior.…”

Between-ward disparities in colorectal cancer incidence and screening in Washington DC

“…The population and sociodemographic characteristics were different across all Wards ( p < 0.0001). Ward 3 had a high proportion of the population older than 65 years (13.8%), who were mostly Whites (83.6%), with the highest percentage of college graduates (79.1%), and a median annual income of $71,875 [ 15 ]. The proportion of current smokers in Ward 3 was less as compared with others.…”

“…The proportion of current smokers in Ward 3 was less as compared with others. In contrast, Ward 7 (97% Blacks, 43.9% men and 56.1% women, 14% >65 years of age, median annual income of $30,533) [ 15 ] and Ward 8 (92.4% Blacks, 44.8% men and 55.2% women, 6.4% >65 years of age, median annual income of $25,017) [ 15 ] had the lowest proportion of college graduates (12.6% and 8%), low physical activity levels (90% in Ward 3 vs. 65% in Ward 7, and 67% in Ward 8) and high prevalence of obesity (72% in Ward 7 and 71% in Ward 8).…”

Using segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series data to assess colonoscopy quality outcomes of a web-enhanced implementation toolkit to support evidence-based practices for bowel preparation: a study protocol

“…In 2002, more than 14 million colonoscopies were performed in the United States of America [1] and annual procedures are on the rise [2] due to increased physician recommendation [3, 4] and patient preferences for colonoscopy, over fecal occult blood test or sigmoidoscopy for colorectal cancer screening [2]. Inadequate bowel preparation and substantial variability in adenoma detection [5–7] from 7.5 to 33.3 % [6, 8] are critical colonoscopy quality issues [5].…”