Our goal was to examine colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, referral, and follow-up practices in a population of Chinese and Latino immigrant patients. We conducted a nested cohort study within a larger randomized trial in a primary care clinic of a large municipal hospital. Participants were patients born in China and Latin America, new to the clinic and eligible for screening colonoscopy. The main outcome measures were physician referral for screening colonoscopy and patients' adherence to referral. One hundred and forty-six (146) patients met inclusion criteria; 92 were born in Latin America and 54 in China. Of those born in Latin America, 27% received a referral for screening colonoscopy and 80% adhered to the provider referral. Of those born in China, 24% received a referral for colonoscopy and 92% of those adhered to it. No significant associations were found between patient characteristics, referral for colonoscopy and completion of screening. Rates of CRC screening among Chinese and Latino patients in primary care remain low. The rate-limiting factor appears to be provider referral; language and other patient barriers play a relatively minor role.

Colorectal neoplasm Cohort study immigrants Cancer screening

China immigrant cohort analysis Eurasia Far East cancer Latin America primary health care Asia