Colorectal cancer-screening tests and associated health behaviors

Background: Studies have shown that screening reduces colorectal cancer mor tality. We analyzed national survey data to determine rates of use of fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) and sigmoidoscopy, and to determine if these r ates differ by demographic factors and other health behaviors. Methods: A total of 52,754 respondents aged greater than or equal to 50 yea rs were questioned in the 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System ( BRFSS) survey (a random-digit-dialing telephone survey of the non-instituti onalized U.S. population) about their use of FOBT and sigmoidoscopy. Results: The age-adjusted proportion of respondents who reported having had a, colorectal cancer screening test during the recommended time interval ( past year for FOBT and past 5 years for sigmoidoscopy) was 19.8% for FOBT, 30.5% for sigmoidoscopy, and 41.1 % for either FOBT or sigmoidoscopy. Rates of use of colorectal cancer screening tests were higher for those who had other screening tests (mammography, Papanicolaou smear, and cholesterol che ck). There were also differences in rates of use of colorectal cancer scree ning tests: according to other health behaviors (smoking, seat belt rise, f ruit and vegetable intake, and physical activity) and several demographic f actors. However, none of the subgroups that we examined reported a rate of FOBT use above 20% within the past year or rate of sigmoidoscopy use above 41% within the past 5 years. Conclusion: While rates of use of FOBT and sigmoidoscopy were higher among people who practiced other healthy behaviors, rates of use were still quite low in all subgroups. There is a need for increased awareness of the impor tance of colorectal cancer screening. (C) 2001 American Journal of Preventi ve Medicine.