Cancer screening rates in the U.S. over the past 15 years remain short of national goals, according to new analysis performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Researchers looked at data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for 2000 through 2015, focusing on screening trends and disparities for breast, colorectal and prostate cancers. Ingrid J. Hall, PhD, with the CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control and colleagues used the government’s Healthy People 2020 goals as the benchmarks for their study. Findings were published in Preventing Chronic Disease.
“Examining screening disparities—differences in receipt of screening among population subgroups—over time offers the opportunity to monitor cancer screening successes and advancement toward Healthy People 2020 goals,” Hall and colleagues wrote.
Colorectal cancer screening was the only test that increased in 2015, with an uptick in both men and women. They pointed to focused public health efforts as a possible explanation, but urged continued expansion of insurance coverage and electronic medical record improvements to increase screening.
Authors noted adjusted mammography rates fell “significantly” for a total of 3 percent, even though rates remained high during the study period.
Across all tests, the lowest screening rates were consistently associated with having no consistent source of healthcare, no insurance, low income and less education, among other factors.
In these populations, Hall et al. wrote, community-based programs, targeted coordination efforts and even universal healthcare are potential remedies to poor screening trends
“Continued efforts are needed to reduce structural barriers for access to medical care and to increase physician contact to increase the proportion of people counseled and participating in cancer screening, particularly among underserved subgroups,” authors concluded.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.