Women and Hispanics are less likely to undergo colorectal cancer screening even though many health groups recommend such screening for men and women over 50 years old, according to a study reported in the December 1 issue of the journal Cancer.
Study author David Etzioni, MD, of the UCLA School of Medicine, and his colleagues studied data on the colorectal cancer screening habits of 22,343 California adults who were 50 years and older to determine the frequency and predicators of screening and the reasons why people chose not to undergo it.
Approximately 54 percent had a recent colorectal cancer test, well above the national average. However, two groups appeared less likely to be screened. Women in general and Latinos, especially women under 65 years old, were less likely to be tested than Caucasians.
Latinos and Asians were more likely than Caucasians to report that they did not see a need for screening in the absence of symptoms. Women were less likely to be tested than men and more likely not to be even offered the screening. Women also reported that screening was painful or embarrassing.
Encouragingly, according to the researchers, people who had public or private insurance coverage and continuity of medical care from a usual source were much more likely to have colorectal cancer screening.
The authors concluded that polices that encourage continuity of care and promote insurance coverage as well as physician and patient education programs would improve access to colorectal cancer tests.
Source:Medical Week staff, October 30, 2004
|
HOME PAGE
