Evidence shows that there are substantial disparities on rates of colorectal cancer screenings between whites and non-whites. A group of researchers, led by Thomas Semrad, MD, assessed whether geographic factors also contributed to the racial/ethnic disparities.
The researchers collected Medicare claims data within 11 SEER regions on patients who were up-to-date on sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy within the past five years or fecal occult blood testing within the last year. The results include the following:
• Black and white disparities were greatest in Atlanta, rural Georgia and San Jose, Calif.
• Black and white disparities were not significant in Connecticut, Seattle or Iowa.
• Asian/Pacific Islanders and whites had significant disparities in Michigan, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Jose, Calif.
• Asian/Pacific Islanders were more likely to be up-to-date on colorectal cancer screening than whites in Hawaii.
Read the abstract about geographic and racial/ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer screening.
Read other coverage about colorectal cancer screening:
– Study: More Colonoscopy Screening Options Confuse Patients
– IU Gastroenterologist Says Colonoscopy Can Be Viable Tool for CRC Prevention
