Health Care : Current Reviews

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Understanding Gender, Race and Ethnicity in Colorectal Cancer Screening

Heather B. Fagan, Richard C. Wender, Randa Sifri, Kristen Isaac and Melaine Eisele

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. The overall rate of CRC screening remains unacceptably low. To increase CRC screening rates, populations who are refractory to screening must be identified. Identifying barriers and facilitators of screening specific to these groups will assist the development of targeted interventions to improve CRC screening.

Methods: This review synthesizes the published literature regarding the role of gender, race and ethnicity in receiving colorectal cancer screening in the United States. Specifically, this review examines cross-sectional and prospective studies of colorectal cancer screening. These studies provide important data about the impact of race, gender and ethnicity on colorectal cancer screening rates.

Results: Female gender and non-white race are not consistent barriers to screening. However, Hispanic ethnicity does seem to consistently confer a barrier to screening.

Conclusion: The impact of female gender and non-white race on screening is inconsistent suggesting that other factors (e.g. socioeconomic status, access to care) play a greater role and perhaps that targeted efforts have been effective in addressing disparity. Improved CRC screening rates in these groups can inform approaches to improving rates in other groups, such as Hispanics, who consistently fall behind.