Persistent disparities in uptake of colorectal cancer screening in the USA

In May 2021, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Forc began recommending intiating colorectal cancer screening at age 45 (vs. 50) years. Analysis of data from the National Health Interview Survey in 2000 through 2018 found that overall, prevalence of CRC screening (colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, CT colonography, or stool-based tests) in adults 50 to 75 years increased from 36.7% in 2000 to 66.1% in 2018. Screening prevalence in 2018 was lowest for age 50 tot 54 years (47.6%), Hispanics (56.5%), Asians (57.1%), participants with less than a high school degree (53.6%), participants from low-income families (56.6%), and participants without insurance (39.7%). Increases in prevalence over time differed by five-year age group. For example, prevalence increased from 28.2% in 2000 to 47.6% in 2018 (+19.4%) for age 50 to 54 years, but from 46.4% tot 78.0% (+31.6%) for age 70 to 75 years. This pattern was consistent across race/ethnicity, educational attainment, family income, and health insurance. The authors conclude that prevalence of CRC screening remains low in adults aged 50 to 54 years.