 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Susan E. Hunter, MPH1, Anna Pittman Schenck, PhD1, and Carrie Klabunde, PhD2. (1) Health Assessment Division, Medical Review of North Carolina, 5625 Dillard Drive, Cary, NC 27511, (919) 851 - 2955, ncpro.shunter@sdps.org, (2) Applied Research Program, National Cancer Institute, EPN 4005; 6130 Executive Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20892
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Regular screening can save lives by detecting cancer at an earlier stage. Since 1998, Medicare has covered four types of colorectal cancer screenings: fecal occult blood tests (FOBT); sigmoidoscopy; colonoscopy; and dousble-contrast barium enema. Although regular CRC screening is recommended for everyone age 50+, this benefit is under-utilized by Medicare beneficiaries. In 1998, the combined rate for any CRC test (screening or diagnostic) among North Carolina Medicare enrollees age 50 and older was 19%.
A series of five focus groups was conducted to assess NC Medicare beneficiaries’ knowledge about CRC, CRC screening methods, and to learn opportunities to increase CRC screening in a tri-county area. All 43 participants were age 50+ and recruited from local senior centers. The overall CRC screening rate for the combined groups was 67%. Individual group screening rates ranged from 33% to 100%.
With an average age of 72, these participants reported many health issues that compete for their attention. Colorectal cancer is not one of them because consumers do not perceive themselves as at risk. Participants do not seek information on preventive health care, including CRC screening. Although participants cited physicians and the media as their most trusted sources of health information, their own physicians are not discussing CRC with them. The focus groups indicated a need for increased CRC risk communication, CRC information and direct cues to action. Appropriate channels would be physicians, physician offices, and the media.
Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives
Keywords: Cancer Screening, Health Promotion
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.