157665 Trends in colorectal cancer screening among Maryland residents age 65 and older, 2002 – 2006

Tuesday, November 6, 2007: 8:30 AM

Carolyn F. Poppell, MS , Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Fatma Shebl, MD, MS, MHS , Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Diane M. Dwyer, MD , Medical Director Center for Cancer Surveillance and Control, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Baltimore, MD
Annette Hopkins, RN MS , Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Carmela Groves, RN MS , Center for Cancer Surveillance and Control, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Baltimore, MD
Min Zhan, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Eileen K. Steinberger, MD MS , Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
        
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) risk increases markedly with age, but is highly amenable to early detection and prevention through screening. We sought to assess CRC screening practices and changes in screening prevalence over time (2002 to 2006) among Marylanders age 65 and older. Methods: For Maryland Cancer Survey respondents age 65 and older in 2002, 2004, and 2006 (1503, 1578, and 1698 respondents, respectively), we examined prevalence of ever being screened for CRC, prevalence of up-to-date screening, and changes in prevalence between years. Logistic regression analysis was performed to control for potential confounders. Results: From 2002 to 2006, the percent of respondents age 65 and older ever having CRC screening of any type increased almost 6% (80.5% to 86.2%; p = 0.0011), and prevalence of ever having lower GI endoscopy increased 9% (67.4% to 76.4% (p<0.0001). After adjusting for confounders, we found that respondents in 2006 were almost twice as likely as those in 2002 to be up-to-date with colonoscopy (within past 10 years; OR 1.91, CI 1.61-2.26) but 40% less likely to have FOBT screening within the past 2 years (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.51-0.72). Non-White respondents were significantly less likely than Whites to have ever been tested by FOBT or colonoscopy, or to be up-to-date with colonoscopy. Conclusions: CRC screening rates are high and have increased in recent years among Marylanders age 65 and older, with significant gains in up-to-date screening and a shift to colonoscopy. Despite gains, however, almost 14% of this population remains unscreened for CRC.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe recommended colorectal cancer screening tests and time intervals between tests. 2. Assess trends in colorectal cancer screening among Maryland adults, age 65 years and older, and compare to national screening rates. 3. Identify possible disparities in colorectal cancer screening.

Keywords: Cancer Screening, Cancer Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Healthcare Practices and Utilization among Older Adults
See more of: Gerontological Health