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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Catherine R. Messina, PhD, Dorothy S. Lane, MD, MPH, and Mary F. Cavanagh, MD, MPH. School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, HSC-L3, Room 089, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8036, 631-444-8266, cmessina@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
CRC is the third leading site of new cancer cases and deaths among both women and men in the United States for 20021. Based on current screening and early detection strategies, 90% of all CRC cases and deaths are considered preventable2 yet, utilization of screening tests for CRC remains low. Information about CRC screening use and barriers to screening was obtained through telephone interviews of a randomly selected, community-based sample of 1305 women and men aged 50-75 years and residing on Long Island, New York. Participants who had a previous history of CRC or polyps were excluded. 29% reported a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) in the past year and 38% reported a sigmoidoscopy in the past 5 years or a colonoscopy in the past 10 years. These rates are similar those reported nationally for adults the same age3. Regular utilization of FOBT and sigmoidoscopy were also examined. The most frequently cited reason for not having a recent FOBT or sigmoidoscopy was that the physician did not recommend it (36% and 36%, respectively). The belief that FOBT or sigmoidoscopy is not needed (12% and 14%, respectively) was more frequently cited as a reason for not utilizing these tests, than discomfort with the procedure (9%), embarrassment (3%), or difficulty with the preparation for the test (1%). Findings underscore the importance of physician recommendation as a determinant of CRC screening and discussion includes implications of study findings for interventions to increase screening. Community interventions being tested by our NCI project are described.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
Keywords: Cancer Screening, Community Preventive Services
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.