The American Cancer Society has enlisted the help of Jordan Baeker Bispo, PhD, MPH.
The lack of screening recommendations for colorectal cancer patients is causing concern, as evidenced by a recent analysis.
A study conducted on over 5000 adults who were due for colorectal cancer screening found that less than 30% of them were recommended during their wellness visit, which is lower among those without an usual source of care or the uninsured.
The investigators noted that while clinicians generally recommend screening for colonic cancer in patients at average risk, there is limited information on whether these recommendations are consistent with the low patient-reported prevalence.
Colorectal cancer makes up 7.8% of all new cancer cases in the United States, and is the fourth most common type after breast cancer, prostate cancer (number 3), and lung and bronchus cancer.2 The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends colorection of colorsales at 45–75 years old [two] should consult with their doctor about screening; others range between 76 and 85 years without delay needing to check that they are contained within or transferred to other parts of the body.4 These tests prevent early detection procedures, including lymphocytes, as well as biopsy results
To determine the likelihood of clinician recommendations for colorectal screening among underscreened adults, investigators used data from 61,479 patients who completed the 2019 and 2021 National Health Interview Survey, as determined by Jordan Baeker Bispo, PhD, MPH, principal scientist of cancer disparity research for the American Cancer Society.
To measure the likelihood of receiving a clinician recommendation for colorectal cancer screening, researchers asked participants to complete yearly follow-up surveys. They also used logistic regression models to estimate the unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios by age, survey year, race/ethnicity, education, poverty status, urban or rural residence, comorbidity burden, insurance, and usual source of care.
Out of the 502 patients who met the criteria for colorectal cancer screening, 26.8% received a clinician recommendation. The lowest prevalence was found among uninsured and those without insurance (9.7%), but estimates were similar in analyzing only individuals with insurance or symptomatic status.
The aPR for non-Hispanic Asians, CIs (0.06-0.72), Hispanics (0.76), and CIA recipients (0.99%) were less likely to report symptomatic symptoms of colorectal cancer than those with college or university education.
According to investigators, the findings indicate a significant communication gap in the clinical setting regarding colonic cancer prevention. They suggest that investing in clinician training, automated point-of-care prompts and community outreach could enhance patient-clinician communication about this disease and advance progress towards national screening goals at the systems level.
References:
The Clinician Recommendation for Colorectal Cancer Screening of Underscreened U.S. Adults, as reported by Bispo JB and Bandhi P. Annals of Internal Medicine. September 11, 2023. doi:10.7326/M23-1341.
The National Cancer Institute’s “Clinical Stat Facts: Colorectal Cancer” report is available for download at http://www.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html and can be accessed through September 11, 2023.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has put together a report on colorectal cancer screening, with recommendations due by May 18, 2021 and as of September 11, 2023. For more information, go to http://www.uspreventativeservicestaskforce.org/recommendation/colorectal-cancer-screening.pdf or click here.
Accessed September 11, 2023, is the Stat Bites for Colorectal Cancer from the United States Cancer Statistics website at http://www.cdc.gov/stat-bite/colorecinecinestal.htm?