Adults with disabilities screened less often for colorectal cancer
University of Missouri School of Medicine News Apr 03, 2017
Those with vision impairment, intellectual disability or spinal cord injury less likely to be screened.
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the United States, with nearly 135,000 cases reported in 2016. The likelihood of surviving colorectal cancer is strongly related to the stage in which it is diagnosed. Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine looked at screening adherence rates and found that individuals with certain disabilities are less likely to receive recommended preventive screenings. The researchers hope the finding will lead to targeted interventions and increased awareness for these individuals.
ÂColorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., said Chelsea Deroche, PhD, assistant professor of biostatistics in the MU Department of Health Management and Informatics and in the Biostatistics and Research Design Unit. ÂHowever, almost 60 percent of these deaths could be prevented if people ages 50 years or older received routine screenings. When studying adherence rates to recommended screenings, we found that individuals with blindness or low vision, an intellectual disability or a spinal cord injury are less likely to receive screenings than those without these disabilities.Â
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force currently recommends that individuals ages 50 to 75 be screened by one of the following methods:
About 48 percent of the general population reported receiving routine screenings, compared to 34 percent of individuals with an intellectual disability, 44 percent of individuals with spinal cord injuries and 46 percent of individuals with blindness or low vision.
ÂThese individuals may not be routinely screened for colorectal cancer due to a lack of education and awareness, transportation challenges or other barriers, Deroche said. ÂThese findings support the need for increased awareness and targeted advocacy outreach efforts to both physicians and caregivers to ensure all individuals are screened appropriately.Â
The study, ÂColorectal Cancer Screening Adherence in Selected Disabilities Over 10 Years, recently was published online in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
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Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the United States, with nearly 135,000 cases reported in 2016. The likelihood of surviving colorectal cancer is strongly related to the stage in which it is diagnosed. Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine looked at screening adherence rates and found that individuals with certain disabilities are less likely to receive recommended preventive screenings. The researchers hope the finding will lead to targeted interventions and increased awareness for these individuals.
ÂColorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., said Chelsea Deroche, PhD, assistant professor of biostatistics in the MU Department of Health Management and Informatics and in the Biostatistics and Research Design Unit. ÂHowever, almost 60 percent of these deaths could be prevented if people ages 50 years or older received routine screenings. When studying adherence rates to recommended screenings, we found that individuals with blindness or low vision, an intellectual disability or a spinal cord injury are less likely to receive screenings than those without these disabilities.Â
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force currently recommends that individuals ages 50 to 75 be screened by one of the following methods:
- fecal occult blood test every year;
- sigmoidoscopy every five years, plus a fecal occult blood test every three years; or
- colonoscopy every 10 years.
About 48 percent of the general population reported receiving routine screenings, compared to 34 percent of individuals with an intellectual disability, 44 percent of individuals with spinal cord injuries and 46 percent of individuals with blindness or low vision.
ÂThese individuals may not be routinely screened for colorectal cancer due to a lack of education and awareness, transportation challenges or other barriers, Deroche said. ÂThese findings support the need for increased awareness and targeted advocacy outreach efforts to both physicians and caregivers to ensure all individuals are screened appropriately.Â
The study, ÂColorectal Cancer Screening Adherence in Selected Disabilities Over 10 Years, recently was published online in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
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