Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114268

Vickie L. Shavers, PhD, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Applied Research Program, Health Services and Economics Branch, National Cancer Institute, Executive Plaza North, Room 4005, 6130 Executive Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20892-7344, (301) 594-1774, shaversv@mail.nih.gov

Colorectal cancer has a disproportionate impact on racial/ethnic minorities, particularly African Americans. Age-adjusted incidence rates are 20% higher for African American men and 24% higher for African American women than rates for white men and women, respectively. In addition mortality rates are 40% higher for African American men and 47.5% higher for African American women than white men and women. The American Cancer Society and the US Preventive Services Task Force recommend colorectal cancer screening - for individuals' age 50 and older. However, there is evidence that suggests that the epidemiology of colorectal cancer may vary among racial/ethnic groups. For example, data from observational research studies show racial/ethnic variation in the anatomic distribution of colorectal cancer tumors and adenomas and differences in age at onset. SEER data for 2001 show that compared to white men and women 18.6% and 39.7% more of colorectal cancers for African American men and women are diagnosed before age 50. Other research studies show that similar differences exist for other racial/ethnic minority groups. In addition, specific colorectal cancer screening modalities differ with regard to the area of the colon that is examined and in their ability to detect cancers and adenomas, which would influence colorectal cancer incidence and outcomes. We explore racial/ethnic variation in age at onset, anatomic distribution of tumors and adenomas, use of specific colorectal cancer screening modalities and discuss implications for screening recommendations.

Learning Objectives:

• To familiarize the audience with current recommendations for colorectal cancer screening.
• To familiarize the audience with racial/ethnic variation in the age at onset for colorectal cancer.
• To familiarize the audience with racial/ethnic variation in the anatomic distribution of colorectal adenomas and tumors and to discuss implications for screening recommendations.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.