title: Gender differences in the use of colorectal cancer tests among older Chinese adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to explore the gender difference in using colorectal cancer (CRC) tests among Chinese aged 50 years or over.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2004 Chinese older adults through anonymous telephone survey which covered socio-demographic variables, health status, use of complementary therapy, health-related perceptions and use of CRC tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The uptake rate of flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS)/colonoscopy was 14% for males and 10% for females, with males significantly more likely to have had the test after adjusting for their differences in socio-demographics, health status, use of complementary therapies, health-related perceptions and recommendation received from health professionals (adjusted OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.0, p = 0.005). The uptake of fecal occult blood test was nearly the same (19%) for both genders. Further interaction analyses indicates that the effect of a family history of cancer on the uptake of a FS/colonoscopy is significantly weaker in males than in females (the interaction odds ratio = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.8, p = 0.011), whereas a male perceived that visiting a doctor is good for health will be more likely to have an uptake of a FS/colonoscopy than a female with such perception (the interaction odds ratio = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1-3.8, p = 0.018).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The uptake of CRC tests was low in this average-risk population. More effort is needed to educate the public about the importance and benefits of CRC tests. In view of the gender differences in some determinants of FS/colonoscopy uptake, particular attention should be given to develop gender-specific strategies to improve the rate.
authors: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Kai Chow
authors: KC
authors: Choi
authors: Winnie K W
authors: WK
authors: So
authors: Dorothy N S
authors: DN
authors: Chan
authors: Ann T Y
authors: AT
authors: Shiu
authors: Simone S M
authors: SS
authors: Ho
authors: Helen Y L
authors: HY
authors: Chan
authors: Wendy W T
authors: WW
authors: Lam
authors: Karis K F
authors: KK
authors: Cheng
authors: William B
authors: WB
authors: Goggins
authors: Carman W H
authors: CW
authors: Chan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009780:Occult Blood; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Chinese; Colorectal cancer; Gender difference; Screening behaviour