Colorectal cancer screening in North Carolina: associations with diabetes mellitus and demographic and health characteristics.
BACKGROUND
Diabetes mellitus (DM) may increase the risk of colorectal cancer, a leading cause of cancer death in the United States. This report examines factors associated with colorectal cancer screening, including DM status.


METHODS
Data from the 1993/1995/1997 North Carolina (NC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed to assess self-reported screening rates within guidelines for sigmoidoscopy/proctoscopy (sig/proct) and fecal occult blood test (FOBT).


RESULTS
Overall, 28.6, 27.2, and 19.7% received a sig/proct, FOBT, or either test within guidelines, respectively. Screening rates varied according to some demographic variables, but not by DM status. However, DM status changed some relationships between screening and some demographic/health characteristics.


CONCLUSIONS
Colorectal cancer screening in NC is similar to national rates, but certain subgroups are less likely to get screened. Persons with DM are as likely to get colorectal cancer screening, but some groups with DM (ethnic minorities, persons of low socioeconomic status) may be at high risk for not getting screened. Educational efforts to increase screening should target these groups.
Bell
R A
RA
Department of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, USA. rbell@wfubmc.edu
Shelton
B J
BJ
Paskett
E D
ED
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D009780:Occult Blood; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018579:Patient Selection; D011351:Proctoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data