EMPLOYEE RESPONSE TO A COMPANY-SPONSORED PROGRAM OF COLORECTAL AND PROSTATE-CANCER SCREENING

Studies done in the mid-1970s documented increased risk for respirator y cancer and leukemia among employees in a chemical company manufactur ing plant where chloromethyl ethers were used in production from 1948 to 1971. In the late 1980s, the company informed current and former em ployees about the results of follow-up studies which showed a moderati on of risk for respiratory cancer and leukemia. New data showing eleva ted rates of mortality from colorectal, prostate, bladder, and pancrea tic cancer in the population were also reported. Via mailed correspond ence, the company made a no-cost program of colorectal and prostate ca ncer screening available to employees upon request; and information ab out bladder and pancreatic cancer was made available. Thirteen percent of employees in the population indicated interest in colorectal and p rostate cancer screening (response). Thirty-one percent of these respo nders were screened (adherence). Multivariate analyses showed that edu cation and length of employment in the plant were positively associate d with response. Being white was positively associated with response f or younger workers; while among older workers being male was positivel y associated with response. In terms of adherence, we found that older , more highly educated workers were more likely to have a screening ex amination. Findings indicate that employee participation in workplace- sponsored colorectal and prostate cancer screening can vary according to worker sociodemographic factors and length of employment in areas o f potential exposure.