Abstract
BACKGROUND
Despite the growing recognition of the importance of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in reducing cancer mortality, national screening rates are low, indicating a critical need to understand the barriers and remedies for underutilization of CRC screening tests.
METHODS
Using results from independent crossβsectional telephone surveys with patients aged β₯50 years performed before (2000; n = 498) and after (2003; n = 482) a quality improvement intervention for CRC screening within a large managed care health plan, the trends and predictors of CRC screening with fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and/or endoscopy (flexible sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy) were examined from a patient perspective.
RESULTS
In 2000, patient reported screening rates within guidelines were 38% for any test, 23% for endoscopy, and 22% for FOBT. In 2003, screening rates increased to 50% for any test, 39% for endoscopy, and 24% for FOBT. Having discussed CRC with a doctor significantly increased the odds of being screened (FOBT: odds ratio [OR], 2.09 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.47β2.96]; endoscopy: OR, 2.33 [95% CI, 1.67β3.26]; and any test: OR, 2.86 [95% CI, 2.06β3.96]), and reporting barriers to CRC in general decreased the odds of being screened (FOBT: OR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.60β0.95]; endoscopy: OR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.60β0.92]; and any test: OR, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.54β0.80]).
CONCLUSIONS
Although screening rates increased over the 3βyear period, evidence was found of ongoing underutilization of CRC screening. The 2 strongest determinants of obtaining CRC screening were provider influence and patient barriers related to CRC screening in general, pointing to the need for multilevel interventions that target both the provider and patient. Cancer 2008. Β© 2008 American Cancer Society.