Having a Personal Health Care Provider and Receipt of Colorectal Cancer Testing
Ann Fam Med Cardarelli and Thomas
7: 5
The Article in Brief
Having a Personal Health Care Provider and Receipt of Colorectal Cancer Testing
Roberto Cardarelli
, and colleagues
Background Although colorectal cancer is 1 of the top 3 causes of cancer deaths, screening for the disease occurs at low rates. The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between having a personal health care provider and being up-to-date on testing for colorectal cancer.
What This Study Found Having a personal health care provider is the greatest predictor of up-to-date colorectal cancer testing regardless of race/ethnicity, education, income, and health insurance status.
Implications
- Increasing and supporting the primary care workforce can increase colorectal cancer screening rates.
- Policy initiatives are needed to ensure that all people have access to a personal health care provider. This could help improve colorectal cancer screening rates as well as other aspects of health.
