title: Screening practices of Australian men and women categorized as "at or slightly above average risk" of colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Australia has one of the highest incidences of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the world. In 2006, the federal government introduced a screening program consisting of a one-off fecal occult blood test offered to people turning 50, 55, or 65 years. We conducted a population-based study to estimate CRC screening practices existing outside the current program.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1887 unaffected subjects categorized "at or slightly above average risk" of CRC were selected from the Australasian Colorectal Cancer Family Registry. We calculated the proportions of participants that reported appropriate, under- and over-screening according to national guidelines. We performed a logistic regression analysis to evaluate associations between over-screening and a set of socio-demographic factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 532 participants at average risk of CRC, eligible for screening, 4 (0.75 %) reported appropriate screening, 479 (90 %) reported never having been screened, 18 (3 %) reported some but less than appropriate screening, and 31 (6 %) reported over-screening. Of 412 participants aged 50 years or over, slightly above average risk of CRC, 1 participant (0.25 %) reported appropriate screening, 316 (77 %) reported no screening, and 11 (3 %) reported some but less than appropriate screening. Among participants under age 50 years, 2 % of those at average risk and 10 % of those slightly above average risk reported over-screening. Middle-aged people, those with a family history of CRC and those with a university degree, were more likely to be over-screened.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the level of CRC screening participation was low and the vast majority of screening tests undertaken were inappropriate in terms of timing, modality, or frequency.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic & Analytic Epidemiology, School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Level 3, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. drissao@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Driss
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ait Ouakrim
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lockett
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boussioutas
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Keogh
authors.forename: Louisa B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Flander
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Winship
authors.forename: Graham G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Giles
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hopper
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jenkins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003625:Data Collection; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult