1565 Background: Understanding the prevalence of cancer screening in the US and the factors associated with its accessibility is important for public health promotion. Methods: The 2004 and 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Systems were used to ascertain cancer screening rates among populations indicated for each test by age, gender, and the American Cancer Society recommendation for cancer screenings [fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or endoscopy for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, digital rectal examination (DRE) or prostate specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer screening, clinical breast examination (CBE) or mammogram for breast cancer screening, and Papanicolaou (Pap) test for cervical cancer screening]. Results: Over this period, CRC and breast cancer screening rates significantly increased (15.9%, 13.9%) while prostate and cervical cancer screening rates significantly decreased (1.2%, 5.2%). Race/ethnicity might be an influence in CRC and cervical cancer screening accessibility. Prostate cancer screening accessibility might be influenced by education and income. The older-aged populations (70-79, >79) had high prevalence of CRC, prostate and breast cancer screenings even though there is insufficient evidence for the benefits and harms of screenings in the older-aged group. Conclusions: The disparities in age, race/ethnicity, health insurance, education, employment, and income for the accession to cancer screening of the US population have decreased since 2004. The trajectory of increasing rates of CRC and breast cancer screenings should be maintained. To reverse the trend, the causes of the decreased rate of cervical cancer screening and the high rates of screenings in older-aged populations should, however, be further explored. [Table: see text]
Factors Affecting Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake by Hmong Hilltribe Women in Thailand
