UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: The number of persons in the U.S. over age 65 is increasing. Older persons have a higher risk of dying from cancer. However, information about screening rates and sources of information about breast and colorectal cancer screening among women aged 65 and older is limited. We examined data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) for women aged 65 years or older with no personal history of breast or colorectal cancer.

Methods: Women whose self-reported race and ethnicity was non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, or Hispanic were included in the analysis.

Results:

Rates of recent mammography were lowest among women who were aged 75 and older, especially among Hispanic women, and among women with a household income less than $15,000 per year. Rates of colorectal cancer screening (FOBT in past year or endoscopy in past 5 years) were lower among black women who were aged 75 years and older and among Hispanic women who were aged 65 to 74 years. Rates of recent colorectal cancer testing were also lower among women who had a household income less than $15,000 per year, no family history of cancer, no usual health care provider, or fewer provider visits in the past year. Results from this study suggest a special need for interventions aimed at increasing routine colorectal cancer screening among Hispanic women aged 65 to 74 years of age. Information about sources of medical information and preferred channels of information may be helpful in planning such interventions.