Does age influence screening for colorectal cancer?

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate whether patients' age influenced colorectal cancer screening by internal medicine resident physicians in an ambulator) care clinic. Methods: a retrospective chart review of 200 patients aged > 50 years to assess the performance of rectal examinations, faecal occult blood testing and flexible sigmoidoscopy. Results: physicians performed rectal examinations in 21 patients 10.5%, faecal occult blood testing in 85 (42.5%) and flexible sigmoidoscopies in 95 (47.5%). Significantly more rectal examinations were performed in patients aged 50 - 60 years than inpatients aged 61 - 70 years (P < 0.005) or ≤ 71 years (P < 0.00002). There was significantly more faecal occult blood testing in patients aged 50 - 60 pears than in those aged ≤ 71 years (P < 0.02). In women, there were more rectal examinations in those aged 50 - 60 years than in those aged 61 - 70 years (P < 0.05) or ≤ 71 years (P < 0.008). Men aged 61 - 70 years had more rectal examinations than men aged ≤ 71 years (P < 0.04). Conclusions: colorectal cancer screening is performed less often in older patients attending a hospital for health maintenance evaluation. Chronological age alone should not determine whether physicians screen for colorectal cancer.