Abstract
National colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates have improved, but significant racial disparities have been identified. Improved access to care has been proposed as a solution to eliminate such disparities. To determine if racial disparities in CRC screening rates persist in a medical system without barriers to access or cost. A retrospective review study was performed, examining the healthcare effectiveness data and information set data from patients between the ages of 50 and 65 years who were eligible for CRC screening. Data on the type of CRC screening and rates of up-to-date screening were also examined. Data were available for 14,196 patients of whom 8809 (62 %) reported race. Subjects included were 53 % male and 47 % female, with breakdown by race as follows: 53 % White, 34 % Asian/Pacific Islander, 11 % Black, 1 % Hispanic, and <1 % Native-American. Overall, CRC screening and up-to-date rates were higher than the national average (81 and 72 %, respectively). Blacks were less likely than non-Blacks to have undergone CRC screening (75 vs. 82 %, p < 0.001), and were also less likely to be up-to-date with CRC screening (66 vs. 72 %, p < 0.001). Despite elimination of access and cost barriers, racial disparities in CRC screening persist. Equal access to CRC screening tools will be necessary, but not sufficient, to eliminate the currently observed national trends. Further study should focus on elucidating patient-specific barriers to successful completion and maintenance of CRC screening.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Zauber, A. G., Winawer, S. J., O’Brian, M. J., et al. (2012). Colonoscopic polypectomy and long-term prevention of colorectal cancer deaths. New England Journal of Medicine, 366(8), 687–696.
Mandel, J. S., Bond, J. H., Church, T. R., et al. (1993). Reducing mortality from colorectal cancer by screening for fecal occult blood. New England Journal of Medicine, 328, 1365–1371.
Irby, K., Anderson, W. F., Henson, D. E., & Devesa, S. S. (2006). Emerging and widening colorectal carcinoma disparities between Blacks and Whites in the United States (1975–2002). Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, 15(4), 792–797.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Health Interview Survey. http://progressreport.cancer.gov/detection/colorectal_cancer. Accessed March, 12 2015.
May, F., Bromley, E., Reid, M., et al. (2014). Low uptake of colorectal cancer screening among African Americans in an integrated Veterans Affairs health care network. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 80(2), 291–298.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Disclaimer: The views expressed herein are those of the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Haddad, J.D., You, D.M. Colorectal Cancer Screening and Race in an Equal Access Medical System. J Community Health 41, 78–81 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-015-0068-3
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-015-0068-3