PCN18: COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING: AWARENESS, UTILIZATION, AND BARRIERS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Screening can reduce colorectal cancer mortality, yet screening rates remain low. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for 1999 suggest that only 33.7% of US adults over 40 have ever received a sigmoidoscopy (SIG) or colonoscopy (COL), and 31.1% have ever received a fecal occult blood test (FOBT). OBJECTIVE: To inform policy that may improve screening rates, we sought to characterize the barriers associated with low screening compliance. METHODS: A national random sample of US adults 50 years and older was conducted via random digit dial methods. A computer assisted telephone survey was administered to 502 subjects. Data including utilization of FOBT, SIG, COL and x-ray with barium enema (XBE), as well as demographics, awareness, concerns, attitudes and beliefs about those tests were collected. RESULTS: Screening rates were low, with awareness and screening rates lower for Blacks/Hispanics than for Whites. For example, Blacks and Hispanics were less aware of screening tests (aware of FOBT = 73.3%; SIG = 51.7%; COL = 70%; XBE = 68.3%) than Whites (88.1%, 81.8%, 87.6% and 80.1%, respectively) (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Lack of awareness about screening still exists, especially among Blacks and Hispanics. Barriers to screening have been observed and can potentially be addressed by outreach and education programs. Knowledge?of Test Ever Had Test Compliant with?Standards FOBT 86.7% 70.3% 33.5% SIG 78.1% 52.0% 29.7% COL 85.1% 40.7% 31.1% XBE 78.1% 38.5% 17.5%