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In 2015, 62.9% of adults aged 50-75 had received colorectal cancer screening based on the most recent guidelines.
Introduction
The United States Prevention Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 50 years and continuing until age 75 years. Regular colorectal cancer screening is important for preventing new colorectal cancers from developing as well as for identifying existing colorectal cancers early - which can improve survival. Multiple screening tests are used to detect colorectal cancer, including:
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) - Test for blood in the stool, which can be a sign of cancer. When conducted annually using home-based test kits for people aged 50 to 75 years, the FOBT can increase the rate of survival for colorectal cancer.
- Computed tomography (CT) colonography (otherwise known as a virtual colonoscopy) - Produces three-dimensional image of the colon which your doctor examines for colorectal cancer and precancerous polyps. The USPSTF recommends CT colonography for adults aged 50-75 once every 5 years.
- Sigmoidoscopy - A procedure where a doctor looks into the rectum and part of the colon using flexible narrow tube to identify colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps. Regular sigmoidoscopy can increase one’s chances of surviving colorectal cancer. The USPSTF recommends sigmoidoscopy for adults aged 50 to 75 years once every 5 years, when conducted along with high-sensitivity FOBT once every 3 years.
- Colonoscopy - A procedure where a doctor looks into the rectum and the entire colon using flexible narrow tube to identify colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps. Used not only as a screening test, colonoscopies are also used as a diagnostic procedure to follow up after positive results from an FOBT or FIT, sigmoidoscopy or CT colonography. USPSTF suggests a screening colonoscopy for adults aged 50 to 75 years once every 10 years.
Measure
- FOBT: The percentage of adults aged 50 to 75 years who reported that they had a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) within the past year, by sex, racial/ethnic group, poverty/income, and education. For the 2000 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), respondents were asked about both home- and office-based FOBTs; starting in 2003, respondents were asked only about home-based FOBTs. For the 2015 NHIS respondents were asked about both FOBT and FIT.
- CT Colongraphy: The percentage of adults aged 50-75 years who reported that they had a CT Colonography within the past five years, by sex, racial/ethnic group, poverty/income, and education.
- Sigmoidoscopy: The percentage of adults aged 50 to 75 years who reported that they had a sigmoidoscopy within the past five years, by sex, racial/ethnic group, poverty/income, and education.
- Colonoscopy: The percentage of adults aged 50 to 75 years who reported that they have had a colonoscopy within the past 10 years., by sex, racial/ethnic group, poverty/income, and education.
- Colorectal cancer tests: The percentage of adults aged 50 to 75 years who had a colorectal cancer test recommended by the USPSTF as of 2015 (i.e., a home-based FOBT in the past year; sigmoidoscopy within the past 5 years and FOBT within the past 3 years; or colonoscopy within the past 10 years).
Healthy People 2020 Target
- Increase to 70.5 percent the proportion of adults aged 50 to 75 years who have received a colorectal screening test based on the most recent guidelines. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests conducting a high-sensitivity FOBT at home every year; a sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, along with a high-sensitivity FOBT every 3 years; or a colonoscopy every 10 years.
Healthy People 2020 is a set of goals set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Note: Goals are indicated as blue line on Detailed Trend Graphs.
Data Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 1987–2015.
Trends and Most Recent Estimates
Guideline Screening
By Sex
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Both Sexes
|
62.9 | (61.6 - 64.2) |
Male
|
62.4 | (60.6 - 64.2) | |
Female
|
63.4 | (61.8 - 65.0) | |
By Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
All Races
|
62.9 | (61.6 - 64.2) |
Non-Hispanic White
|
65.9 | (64.3 - 67.4) | |
Non-Hispanic Black
|
62.2 | (59.2 - 65.2) | |
Hispanic
|
49.1 | (45.9 - 52.3) | |
By Poverty Income Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
<200% of federal poverty level
|
50.0 | (47.8 - 52.1) |
>=200% of federal poverty level
|
67.4 | (65.8 - 68.9) | |
By Education Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Less than High School
|
46.4 | (43.3 - 49.6) |
High School
|
58.4 | (56.1 - 60.7) | |
Greater than High School
|
67.9 | (66.5 - 69.3) | |
Home FOBT
By Sex
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Both Sexes
|
7.1 | (6.5 - 7.7) |
Male
|
7.6 | (6.6 - 8.5) | |
Female
|
6.7 | (5.9 - 7.5) | |
By Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
All Races
|
7.1 | (6.5 - 7.7) |
Non-Hispanic White
|
6.8 | (6.1 - 7.5) | |
Non-Hispanic Black
|
7.9 | (6.2 - 9.5) | |
Hispanic
|
7.2 | (5.5 - 8.9) | |
By Poverty Income Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
<200% of federal poverty level
|
6.9 | (5.9 - 8.0) |
>=200% of federal poverty level
|
7.2 | (6.4 - 7.9) | |
By Education Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Less than High School
|
6.4 | (4.8 - 8.0) |
High School
|
7.0 | (5.8 - 8.2) | |
Greater than High School
|
7.3 | (6.6 - 8.1) | |
Sigmoidoscopy or Colonoscopy
By Sex
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Both Sexes
|
60.0 | (58.7 - 61.3) |
Male
|
59.6 | (57.8 - 61.3) | |
Female
|
60.5 | (58.9 - 62.1) | |
By Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
All Races
|
60.0 | (58.7 - 61.3) |
Non-Hispanic White
|
63.3 | (61.8 - 64.9) | |
Non-Hispanic Black
|
59.3 | (56.2 - 62.4) | |
Hispanic
|
45.9 | (42.7 - 49.2) | |
By Poverty Income Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
<200% of federal poverty level
|
46.8 | (44.7 - 48.9) |
>=200% of federal poverty level
|
64.6 | (63.0 - 66.1) | |
By Education Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Less than High School
|
43.8 | (40.6 - 47.0) |
High School
|
55.6 | (53.3 - 57.8) | |
Greater than High School
|
65.0 | (63.5 - 66.4) | |
Evidence-based Resources
Resources are available on colorectal cancer screening to allow for the prioritization of cancer control efforts and the development, implementation and evaluation of cancer control plans. To identify high-risk populations, connect with researchers and practitioners, learn from evidence-based interventions and more, visit Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. – colorectal cancer.
Additional Information on Colorectal Cancer Screening
For the public
- Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging. American Cancer Society.
- Medicare Coverage for Cancer Prevention and Early Detection. American Cancer Society.
- Colorectal (Colon) Cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Colorectal Cancer Screening (PDQ®). National Cancer Institute.
- Tests to Detect Colorectal Cancer and Polyps. National Cancer Institute.
For health professionals
- American Gastroenterological Association.
- American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.
- The Guide to Community Preventive Services – Cancer Prevention and Control. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Colorectal Cancer Screening (PDQ®). National Cancer Institute.
- Health Care Systems for Tracking Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests: Final Report. U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
- Screening for colorectal cancer: a guidance statement from the American College of Physicians. U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the National Guideline Clearinghouse.
- Colorectal Cancer: Screening (June 2016). U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Scientific reports
- Overuse of colorectal cancer screening services in the United States and its implications. Bian J. Chin J Cancer. 2016 Sep 15;35(1):88
- Evidence-Based Guideline: The USPSTF recommends screening for colorectal cancer in adults 50 to 75 years of age. Koretz RL. Ann Intern Med. 2016 Sep 20;165(6):
- Fecal DNA testing in screening for colorectal cancer in average-risk adults. Lin JS, Webber EM, Beil TL, et al. Comparative Effectiveness Reviews No. 52 (2012).
- Breast and colorectal cancer screening: U.S. primary care physicians’ reports of barriers. Meissner HI, Klabunde CN, Breen N, et al. Am J Prev Med 2012;43(6):584–9.
- Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Differences in Colorectal and Breast Cancer Treatment Quality: The Role of Physician-level Variations in Care. Popescu I, Schrag D, Ang A, Wong M. Med Care. 2016 Aug;54(8):780-8.
- Aid-assisted decision making and colorectal cancer screening: a randomized controlled trial. Schroy PC 3rd, Emmons KM, Peters E, et al. Am J Prev Med 2012;43(6):573–83.
- Reducing racial and ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer screening is likely to require more than access to care. Stimpson JP, Pagán JA, and Chen LW. Health Aff 2012;31(12):2747–54.
- Screening for colorectal cancer: the role of the primary care physician. Triantafillidis JK, Vagianos C, Gikas A, Korontzi M, Papalois A. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016 Sep 26.
- Final Research Plan – Screening for Colorectal Cancer. U.S. Preventative Services Task Force.
Statistics
- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System: Prevalence Data & Data Analysis Tools. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
- Measure Summary – Colorectal cancer screening: percentage of members 50 to 75 years of age who had appropriate screening for colorectal cancer. U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the National Quality Measures Clearinghouse.
Year Range
2000-2015
Recent Summary Trend Year Range
2010-2015
Summary Tables
Breast and Cervical Cancers
Recent Summary Trend
Non-Significant Change
Desired Direction
Rising