Jt. Muldoon et al., UTILIZATION OF CANCER EARLY DETECTION SERVICES AMONG FARM AND RURAL NONFARM ADULTS IN IOWA, The Journal of rural health, 12(4), 1996, pp. 321-331
An increase in the proportion of advanced malignancies among rural res
idents has been noted and may be due to a combination of factors, incl
uding availability of screening services, demographic characteristics,
and access to health care facilities. A cross-sectional study was con
ducted in 33 nonmetropolitan Iowa counties among randomly selected mid
dle-aged farm and rural nonfarm adults to compare utilization of cance
r early detection services. A total of 1,126 adults in 600 farm househ
olds and 1,092 adults in 589 rural nonfarm households provided informa
tion through a 155-item in-home interview. Differences in income, age,
and health insurance coverage (including preventive services) between
the farm and nonfarm study populations were found. Although farm men
were less likely to have had a checkup during the past year than men i
n the nonfarm population, no difference was found for women. Overall,
differences in screening behaviors were small. Larger differences betw
een both populations were observed for use of mammograms, prostate exa
minations among men age 50 and older, use of sigmoidoscopy among women
age 50 and older, and skirt cancer examinations among both sexes. Whe
n controlling for demographic characteristics and insurance coverage,
members of the farm and rural nonfarm population were equally likely t
o use multiple screenings according to ACS guidelines. Because of the
increased the risk of breast cancer, interventions aimed at increasing
utilization of mammography among women age 50 and older should be imp
lemented. Although the farm population was more likely to use skin exa
minations, prevalence should be increased substantially to counteract
the continuing rise in skin cancer.