Private MD News

City eliminates colon cancer testing disparities

Category: Colon

Despite the fact that overall deaths from colon cancer have decreased over the past few decades, rate of the illness have actually increased among minority groups. Experts blame this on low rates of colon cancer testing, but a new study indicates that public awareness campaigns can increase rates of screening among these groups and lower the burden of the disease.

In 2003, the city of New York introduced a campaign aimed specifically at increasing colon cancer screening rates among the cities minorities. A team of researchers from Columbia University looking at data following the implementation of this campaign showed that it had a deep effect.

Results from the investigation indicated that the number of New Yorkers over the age of 50 who reported having had a colon cancer test within the past 10 years increased from 41 percent before the advent of the awareness initiative to 61 percent after its launch.

Furthermore, the study showed that disparities in colon cancer testing were eliminated among various racial, sex, insurance status, age and poverty level groups.

The researchers said their findings show that public health agencies can have a dramatic impact on reducing colon cancer testing disparities.