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Rural–Urban Differences in Colorectal Cancer Screening Capacity in Arizona

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Abstract

Colorectal cancer can be prevented via screening by the detection and removal of colorectal adenomas. Few data exist on screening capacity by rural/urban areas. Therefore, the aims of this work were to evaluate current colorectal cancer endoscopy screening capacity and to estimate potential volume for rural and urban regions in Arizona. Gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons practicing in Arizona completed a survey (n = 105) that assessed current colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy screening and estimated future capacity. Resources needed to increase capacity were identified, and differences between rural and urban regions were examined. Responders were more likely to practice in an urban region (89.5%). Physicians reported performing 8,717 endoscopic procedures weekly (8,312 in urban and 405 in rural regions) and the vast majority were colonoscopies (91% in urban and 97% in rural regions). Urban physicians estimated being able to increase their capacity by 35.7% (95% confidence interval 34.7–35.7) whereas rural physicians estimated an increase of 53.1% (95% confidence interval 48.1–58.0). The most commonly cited resource needed to increase capacity was a greater number of physicians in urban regions (52.1%); while the top response in rural areas was appropriate compensation (54.6%). Lastly, 27.3% of rural physicians noted they did not need additional resources to increase their capacity. In conclusion, Arizona has the ability to expand colorectal cancer screening endoscopic capacity; this potential increase was more pronounced in rural as compared to urban regions.

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Acknowledgements

Work was supported by the Richard H. Hollen Professorship from the American Cancer Society, Public Health Service grants CA-41108 and CA-23074, and the Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Gastrointestinal Cancer (CA95060) from the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Jacobs is supported by a KO7 Career Development Award (CA106269) from the National Cancer Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, University of Utah, 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84148, USA

    Jose G. Benuzillo

  2. Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, 1515 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA

    Elizabeth T. Jacobs & María Elena Martínez

  3. New Mexico VA Health Care System, Department of Medicine, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Mailstop 111, 1501 San Pedro Drive South, Albuquerque, NM, 87108, USA

    Richard M. Hoffman

  4. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 13400 E Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, USA

    Russell I. Heigh

  5. Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Arizona Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, 1515 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA

    Peter Lance

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  1. Jose G. Benuzillo
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  2. Elizabeth T. Jacobs
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  3. Richard M. Hoffman
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  4. Russell I. Heigh
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  6. María Elena Martínez
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Correspondence to María Elena Martínez.

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Benuzillo, J.G., Jacobs, E.T., Hoffman, R.M. et al. Rural–Urban Differences in Colorectal Cancer Screening Capacity in Arizona. J Community Health 34, 523–528 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-009-9185-1

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