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Use of Colon Cancer Testing in Rural Colorado Primary Care Practices

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Abstract

Background

People living in rural areas may be less likely to be up to date (UTD) with screening guidelines for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Objectives

To determine (1) rates of being UTD with screening or ever having had a test for CRC and (2) correlates for testing among patients living in a rural area who visit a provider.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Participants

Five hundred seventy patients aged 50 years and older who visited their health-care provider in High Plains Research Network (HPRN) practices.

Measurements

(1) Ever having had a CRC screening test, (2) being UTD with CRC screening, and (3) intention to get tested.

Results

The survey completion rate was 65%; 71% of patients had ever had any CRC screening test, while 52% of patients were UTD. Correlates of intending to get tested included having a family history of CRC, having a doctor recommend a test, knowing somebody who got tested, and believing that testing for CRC gives one a feeling of being in control of their health. Of those who had never had a CRC screening test, 12% planned on getting tested in the future, while 55% of those who were already up to date intended to be tested again (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Prevalence of being UTD with CRC testing in the HPRN was on par with statewide CRC testing rates, but over three quarters of patients who had not yet been screened had no intention of getting tested for CRC, despite having a medical home.

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Acknowledgements

Presented as a work in progress at the 2006 North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Meeting in Tuscon, Arizona. Funding provided by an SIP grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.

This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement no. 5 U48 DP000054-03 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center SIP 20-04. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Conflict of Interest

None

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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Linda Overholser MD, MPH.

Additional information

With special acknowledgement to the practices of the High Plains Research Network (HPRN) and the HPRN Joint Planning Committee.

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Overholser, L., Zittleman, L., Kempe, A. et al. Use of Colon Cancer Testing in Rural Colorado Primary Care Practices. J GEN INTERN MED 24, 1095–1100 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-009-1063-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-009-1063-0

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