Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Krista Evans¹, Christopher French¹, Aren Giske¹, Colby Halsey¹, Ly Heublein¹, Caitlin Kennedy¹, Sophia Kuo¹, Deborah Dameron², Berta Geller, EdD³, and Jan Carney, MD, MPH⁴. (1) University of Vermont College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Ave, Burlington, VT 05405, 8028478268, krista.evans@uvm.edu, (2) American Cancer Society, New England Division, 121 Connor Way, Williston, VT 05495, (3) Office of Health Promotion Research, University of Vermont, 1 South Prospect St., Burlington, VT 05401, (4) Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Vermont, 371 Pearl Street, Burlington, VT 05401

Background: Colorectal Cancer, while preventable, is the second major cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Early detection through patient screening can lead to significantly increased survival rates. Unfortunately, screening rates remain low. In Vermont, over 46% of people between the ages of 50 and 80 have not been screened. This leaves a population of 72,339 Vermonters in need of screening.

Method: We assessed Vermont's capacity to increase screening with sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies through a survey of physicians who provide endoscopic screening. Total (statewide) and limited (based only on our responders) increases in capacity for both sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies were estimated. This perceived maximum screening availability was measured against the unscreened population of Vermont.

Results: Thirty-six surveys were returned out of a total 60 sent with one physician preferring to not be included in the analysis. Our data suggests that without an increase in resources, Vermont could screen 23,869 people a year with flexible sigmoidoscopies and 53,806 with colonoscopies, as a high estimate using all identified doctors increasing capacity at the rates suggested by our data. As a low estimate, using responders as the only providers for the state, 13,978 people a year could be screened by flexible sigmoidoscopies, and 31,392 by colonoscopy. The state of Vermont could screen all of its approximately 72,339 unscreened 50-80 year olds with flexible sigmoidoscopies within two to five years or with colonoscopy in 1.3 years.

Conclusion: We determined that Vermont is well-equipped to screen its population of people over 50 years old.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the importance of colorectal cancer screening on public health
• Identify Ppopulations targeted for colorectal cancer screening.
• Understand the process of creating and implementing a survey to determine physician's ability to perform colorectal cancer screening and obstacles in reaching the population at risk.
• Address the issue that not enough of the target population is being screened for colorectal cancer.

Keywords: Cancer Screening, Community Health Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered