Assessing Colorectal Cancer Screening Behaviors and Knowledge among At-Risk Hispanics in Southern New Mexico

Abstract

Purpose Colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality rates in New Mexico (NM) continue to be higher than national rates. Hispanic CRC mortality rates in NM surpass those of overall Hispanics in the US. This study was designed to characterize and understand factors contributing to low CRC screening rates in this border region. Methods A CRC Knowledge Assessment Survey (KAS) was administered in either English or Spanish to 247 individuals attending community events throughout southern NM. A subset of these individuals completed an online CRC risk assessment survey managed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Data analysis tested for significant differences in knowledge, physician-patient CRC interactions, CRC risk level perception, and screening rates across diverse ethnic and age groups. Results Both CRC knowledge and physician-patient CRC interactions were positively associated with participant screening history. Significant age and ethnic differences for CRC knowledge, physician-patient CRC interactions, and screening history in the NM border sample were also seen. Age-eligible Hispanics (50+) as well as those less than 50 years of age had lower CRC knowledge and were less likely to engage in physician-patient CRC interactions than non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). The age-eligible Hispanics also reported lower CRC screening rates than their NHW counterparts. Conclusions Low CRC knowledge and limited physician-patient CRC interactions appear to contribute to low screening rates in this NM population. Expanding education and outreach efforts for this border population are essential to promote early CRC detection and thereby decrease overall CRC mortality rates.

Assessing Colorectal Cancer Knowledge Among Puerto Rican Hispanics: Implications for Cancer Prevention and Control

“…More worrisome is the fact that statistics continue to show increasing trends in both incidence and mortality rates as well as low adherence to CRC screening rates, despite the existence of guidelines and methods that would increase detection at earlier, more treatable stages. Lack of knowledge has been associated and described as a significant barrier for CRC screening [14-16]. The present study evaluated CRC knowledge among a group of Puerto Rican Hispanic adults, and found a high proportion of adults with inadequate CRC knowledge.…”

“…It has been previously reported that knowledge and awareness of CRC in the general population is low [11-13], which is a significant barrier for CRC screening compliance especially among Hispanics [14-16]. Limited health literacy has been associated with less knowledge about CRC and CRC screening [17].…”

“…Furthermore, we examined the mean CRC knowledge scores according to demographic characteristics. These analyses will enable us to determine how knowledgeable Puerto Rican Hispanics are regarding CRC and if lack of knowledge is a barrier to undergo CRC, as it has been reported in other minority groups in the US [14-16]. …”

Evaluation of the Knowledge Levels of 50-Year-Old and Older Individuals Regarding Colorectal Cancer

“…Thus, it is also of great importance to evaluate the risk factors for which measures must be taken, like smoking, alcohol use, obesity, low-level physical activity, nutritional habits, and genetic factors [8].…”

Spatial and temporal variations of screening for breast and colorectal cancer in the United States, 2008 to 2012

“…The finding in the southeast parts of New Mexico was consistent with previous studies. [25–27] These studies found that low CRC screening rate in New Mexico may be associated with transformative and/or stigmatizing embarrassment, fear of pain and discomfort, low CRC knowledge, insufficient patient–physician discussion, and lack of health insurance. At the US national level, the lack of health insurance, area-level poverty rate, and out-of-pocket expenditures were reported as significant predictors of low screening rate for CRC screenings.…”