Despite increasing cancer rate, baby boomers' hepatitis C screening compliance low — 5 insights

The baby boomer generation has one of the fastest growing liver cancer incidence rates, and in spite of that less than 13 percent of boomers were screened for hepatitis C annually between 2013 and 2015, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

Here's what you should know.

1. Approximately 1 in every 30 baby boomers is chronically infected with HCV. Almost half of all liver cancer cases in the U.S. are caused by HCV.

2. More than 75 percent of all HCV-positive individuals were born between 1945 and 1965.

3. Researchers analyzed National Health Interview Survey data between 2013 and 2015, chronicling HCV screening prevalence among four different age cohorts.

4. Researchers found males were screened more often than females in every age cohort. They also found HCV screening rates were lowest among Hispanic and African American baby boomer males.

5. Screening rates did increase from 11.9 percent in 2013 to 12.8 percent in 2015, but the increase wasn't major enough to combat the rising HCV infection rates.

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 

ASC_GI_300x250

Featured Webinars

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Podcast