The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68119

Eileen Karen Steinberger, MD, MS¹, Carmela Groves, RN, MS², Annette Hopkins, RN, MS¹, Ebenezer Israel, MD, MPH¹, Jane Uman, BA, MPH¹, Marsha Bienia, MBA², Diane M. Dwyer, MD², and Min Zhan, PhD¹. (1) Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, 660 W. Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-767-0789, estein@epi.umaryland.edu, (2) Center for Cancer Surveillance and Control, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 201 West Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

Introduction: Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) is recommended for prevention and early detection. Methodology: A statewide population-based telephone survey was undertaken and weighted by the BRFSS protocol to determine current screening patterns in Maryland. Results: Based on preliminary data from 1488 respondents > 50 years of age, 25% reported never having had any CRC testing. Of those ever tested, 25% were tested for a specific problem (not for screening). Of those ever tested for screening (“screened”) (56% of the entire population), 26% had FOBT only, 5% had sigmoidoscopy alone, 16% had sigmoidoscopy + FOBT, and 53% had colonoscopy +/- FOBT. More persons had endoscopy for screening in urban vs. rural areas (54% vs. 48% for colonoscopy, 21% vs. 19% for sigmoidoscopy). The opposite is true of FOBT only (urban 24% vs. rural 33%). Among those ever screened: use of FOBT alone decreased with age; colonoscopy rates increased with age; men had higher rates of screening colonoscopy compared to women (55% vs. 51%); blacks had higher rates than whites (65% vs. 49%.) Of those persons who were ever screened, 85% are “currently screened” in accordance with American Cancer Society guidelines. Conclusion: Colonoscopy and FOBT are the most common tests for CRC screening. Screening rates vary by locality (urban vs. rural), age, gender, and race.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the learner in this session will be able to
• List colorectal cancer screening methods with recommended time intervals.
• Describe colorectal cancer screening behaviors among Maryland adults age 50 and above.

Keywords: Cancer Prevention, Cancer Screening

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.