Colorectal Cancer News

Investigators Examine Colorectal Cancer Screening Methods Among Diverse Populations

Race, ethnicity and method of screening determine the rates of colorectal cancer screening. Scientists presented data at Digestive Disease Week 2010 that examined minority and elderly populations, and utilization rates of methods of colonoscopies (virtual and optical) to understand how strictly recommended screening guidelines are followed. Here are some of their findings.

University of Wisconsin researchers found that the increased access to virtual colonoscopies did not decrease the utilization rates of traditional colonoscopies for colon cancer screenings.

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) researchers found that recommending colonoscopies as the preferred method for screening resulted in lower rates of screening compared to recommendations for fecal occult blood tests, or a choice of the two. "The findings are important because current screening guidelines stress colonoscopy as the preferred screening strategy."

UCSF researchers also found that limited English proficiency is not a barrier to screening for colon cancer if access to health care is available. These findings suggested there are racial and ethnic differences in method preference and adherence to screening guidelines, and they also showed that Asian and Latino patients with limited English speaking abilities were more apt to be screened than Asians and Latinos with proficient English.

Researchers at Temple University Hospital found that younger African Americans (45-49 years old) have a higher prevalence of cancer lesions detected during colonoscopies than those aged 50-59 years old. They recommended that African Americans 45-49 years old be screened for colon cancer. Also, African Americans who will be diagnosed with colon cancer have a one in 10 chance of developing it before the age 50, compared to a one in 20 chance in Caucasian populations.

References
Digestive Disease Week. Investigators Examine Colorectal Cancer Screening Methods Among Diverse Populations. Medcompare. 2010 May 5. 

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