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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
Three screening tests are used to detect colorectal cancer, including:
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) – 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.
- Sigmoidoscopy—Regular sigmoidoscopy can increase one’s chances of surviving colorectal cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (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—Used not only as a screening test, colonoscopies are also used as a diagnostic procedure to follow up after positive FOBT and sigmoidoscopy screening tests. USPSTF suggests a screening colonoscopy for adults aged 50 to 75 years once every 10 years.
Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are collectively referred to as colorectal endoscopy in this report.
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 racial/ethnic group. For the 2000 National Health Interview Survey, respondents were asked about both home- and office-based FOBTs; starting in 2003, respondents were asked only about home-based FOBTs.
Colorectal endoscopy: The percentage of adults aged 50 to 75 years who reported that they have had an endoscopy (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy).
Colorectal cancer tests: The percentage of adults aged 50 to 75 years who have had a colorectal cancer test (i.e., a home-based FOBT in the past year, or a colorectal endoscopy at any time).
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.
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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) | |
Additional Information on Colorectal Cancer Screening
For the public
- Colorectal Cancer Early Detection. 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.
- Fact Sheet – Tests to Detect Colorectal Cancer and Polyps. National Cancer Institute.
- Healthcare 411 News Series from AHRQ – Colorectal Cancer Screening. U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
- Screening for Colorectal Cancer. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
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.
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.
- Colorectal cancer screening: structured abstract. U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2010.
- 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.
- National Health Interview Survey. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.
- Healthy People 2020, 2020 Topics & Objectives – Cancer.
- Measure Summary – Colorectal cancer screening: percentage of patients age 50 and older who meet criteria for colorectal cancer screening who are up-to-date with screening. 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