Screening for colorectal cancer - United States, 1992-1993, and new guidelines

Article Abstract:

Only a minority of people over 50 years old receive screening tests for colorectal cancer. This was documented by the 1993 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which surveyed 38,063 US residents over the age of 50. Overall, 43% of the group had a digital rectal exam the previous year and only 28% had flexible sigmoidoscopy within the previous five years. Both of these techniques are fairly effective at detecting colorectal cancer, which will kill an estimated 55,000 US residents in 1996. Men were more likely to have these procedures than women and whites were more likely to have them than blacks. Education and high income were also associated with a greater likelihood of having the procedures. Many of the risk factors for colorectal cancer, such as gender, age and heredity, are impossible to change. Consequently, the need for screening is extremely important.

Surveys

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Screening for Colorectal Cancer--United States, 1997

Article Abstract:

Many people over the age of 50 are not being screened for colorectal cancer. In 1996, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended the use of annual fecal-occult blood testing [FOBT] and/or periodic flexible sigmoidoscopy for people 50 years old or older. In a survey of 52,754 people during the 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) only 39.7% of those surveyed reported ever having had FOBT, and 41.7% reported ever having had sigmoidoscopy/proctoscopy. The percentage of all respondents who had either test or both tests within the recommended time interval was 40.9% and 9.5%, respectively.

Testing, Occult blood, Fecal occult blood test, Sigmoidoscopy

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Trends in Screening for Colorectal Cancer--United States, 1997 and 1999

Article Abstract:

Only half of US residents 50 years old or older had a screening test for colorectal cancer in 1999, according to a national survey of 63,555 people 50 years old and older. Screening tests for colorectal cancer include fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy.

Statistical Data Included

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