MONDAY, June 9 (HealthDay News) -- Blacks with a family history
of colorectal cancer are less likely to be screened than either
their white counterparts or other blacks at average risk for the
disease, a new study reports.
The authors of the study, published in the July 15 issue of
Cancer, couldn't find a clear reason why this was, even
though blacks have the highest rates of colorectal cancer and death
from the disease of all racial groups in the United States.
Their research, based on a 2002 telephone survey of more than
5,000 Maryland residents, did find that a medical provider's
recommendation for colorectal cancer screening strongly correlated
with a higher likelihood of screening for blacks.
"This study suggests that African-Americans would benefit from a
primary-care approach that evaluates their risk factors for
colorectal cancer, and provides corresponding recommendations for
appropriate screening tests," the authors wrote.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed and
the third leading cause of cancer-related death among adults in
United States. Regular colorectal cancer screening is considered
vital in preventing colorectal cancer, especially when there is a
family history of the disease.
The American Cancer Society recommends that most people should
start being screened for colorectal cancer at age 50. Experts in
the disease estimate following national screening guidelines could
prevent up to eight in 10 deaths from the disease.
More information
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about
colorectal cancer.
