Colorectal cancer screening participation: Comparisons with mammography and prostate-specific antigen screening

Objectives. The relation of personal characteristics, health and lifestyle behaviors, and cancer screening practices to current colorectal cancer (CRC ) screening was assessed and compared with those factors' relation to curre nt mammography screening in women and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) scree ning in men. Methods. A cross-sectional random-digit-dialed telephone survey of 954 Mass achusetts residents aged 50 and older was conducted. Results. The overall prevalence of current CRC screening was 55.3%. Logisti c regression results indicated that family history of CRC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02, 3.86), receiving a regular med ical checkup (OR = 3.07; 95% Cl = 2.00, 4.71), current screening by mammogr aphy in women and PSA in men (OR = 4.40; 95% Cl = 2.94,6.58), and vitamin s upplement use (OR = 1.87; 95% CI = 1.27, 2.77) were significant predictors of CRC screening. Conclusions. Health and lifestyle behaviors were related to increased curre nt CRC, mammography, and PSA screening. Personal factors independently rela ted to CRC screening were not consistent with those related to mammography and PSA screening. This lack of consistency may reflect different stages of adoption of each type of screening by clinicians and the public.