Cancer Causes and Control
Volume 19, Issue 10, 2008, Pages 1031-1041

Colorectal cancer screening awareness and intentions among low income, sociodemographically diverse adults under age 50 (Article)

Emmons K.* , Puleo E. , McNeill L.H. , Bennett G. , Chan S. , Syngal S.
  • a Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard School of Public Health, Center for Community-Based Research, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115, United States
  • b University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
  • c Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard School of Public Health, Center for Community-Based Research, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115, United States, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Huston, TX, United States
  • d Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard School of Public Health, Center for Community-Based Research, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115, United States
  • e Hong Kong University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  • f Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's, Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates in the US are suboptimal, particularly among lower income and racial/ethnically diverse groups. If specific populations have limited awareness of screening when they reach age 50, there may be delays in screening adoption. This study investigated sociodemographic and social contextual factors associated with awareness of CRC and intentions to be screened at age 50 among 692 low income, racial, and ethnic minority adults living in low income housing. The majority of respondents (62%) were between ages 30 and 49, and 94% had some form of health insurance (e.g., Medicaid). About 70% reported having heard about CRC screening; 66% reported intentions to be screened at age 50. In multivariable analyses, screening awareness was associated with age and education. Immigrants who had English as a second language had lower awareness. Females tended to have higher awareness if they had private insurance; there were no differences among males. Multivariable analyses found that screening intentions were higher among men, those with more role responsibilities, more role conflicts, and higher levels of social cohesion. It is important to identify opportunities for maximizing screening uptake among those who become age-eligible for screening if we are to make a significant impact on CRC disparities. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Author Keywords

Family history CRC screening disparities

Index Keywords

immigrant educational status lowest income group mass screening race difference poverty health insurance human sex difference middle aged colorectal cancer ethnic group controlled study priority journal Colorectal Neoplasms cancer screening Insurance, Health United States Humans Minority Groups male female Socioeconomic Factors Multivariate Analysis socioeconomics Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article Intention awareness adult major clinical study Public Housing medicaid social class
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-55849097374&doi=10.1007%2fs10552-008-9167-0&partnerID=40&md5=3a009b4bc099cf21e97f65983da736d3
DOI: 10.1007/s10552-008-9167-0
ISSN: 09575243
Cited by: 14
Original Language: English