Colorectal cancer screening lowest in adults aged 50 to 54

The prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is lowest among adults aged 50 to 54 years, according to research published in the March 13 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Djenaba A. Joseph, M.D., from the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues analyzed data from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to estimate the percentages of adults aged 50 to 75 years who reported CRC screening consistent with the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

The researchers found that 68.8 percent of adults were up to date with CRC screening in 2018. Among respondents aged 65 to 75 years and 50 to 64 years, the percentage up to date was 79.2 and 63.3 percent, respectively. Among persons aged 50 to 54 years, CRC screening prevalence was lowest at 50.0 percent and increased with age. For respondents aged 50 to 64 years, the prevalence of CRC screening was lowest and highest, respectively, for those without health insurance (32.6 percent) and for those with a reported annual household income of ≥$75,000 (70.8 percent). Among respondents aged 65 to 75 years, CRC screening prevalence was lowest and highest, respectively, for those without a regular health care provider (45.6 percent) and for those with a reported annual household income of ≥$75,000 (87.1 percent).

"Specific population-based efforts to increase CRC screening are needed so that screening might start at age 50 years," the authors write.

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