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PHOM Indicator Profile Report of Colorectal Cancer Screening

Why Is This Important?

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. and Utah. Screening for this cancer is important as deaths can be substantially reduced when precancerous polyps are detected at early stages and removed. The chance of surviving colorectal cancer exceeds 90% when the cancer is diagnosed before it has extended beyond the intestinal wall ([http://www.cancer.org]).

Recommended Colon Cancer Screening, Utah and U.S., 2010-2018

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confidence limits
^ ^*National BRFSS data is published in 5 year age groupings and query by age group 50-75 is not possible, therefore ages 50-74 is used instead. Utah data is also presented for adults ages 50-74 for better comparison to national rates.

Data Sources

  • Utah Data: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Office of Public Health Assessment, Utah Department of Health
  • U.S. Data: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Division of Behavioral Surveillance, CDC Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services

Data Notes

^ ^*National BRFSS data is published in 5 year age groupings and query by age group 50-75 is not possible, therefore ages 50-74 is used instead. Utah data is also presented for adults ages 50-74 for better comparison to national rates. Due to changes in survey methodology and changes in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines, only data after 2010 is presented.

Risk Factors

Colorectal cancer risk increases with age, inflammatory bowel disease, a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, and certain hereditary syndromes. A diet high in fat and low in fiber, lack of regular physical activity, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking are also thought to increase risk. A diet high in fruits and vegetables, hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women, and aspirin use may reduce colorectal cancer risk.

How Are We Doing?

Colorectal cancer screening rates in Utah have generally increased over the last decade, with a screening rate of 62.3% in 2010 increasing to a rate of 69.9% in 2018 among adults age 50-74. Colorectal cancer screening rates across the state vary by geography and other sociodemographic factors. Among local health districts (LHDs) in 2018, Central Utah and TriCounty LHDs had significantly lower colorectal cancer screening rates (61.2% and 57.0%, respectively) than the state average (70.0%). See additional data views for more specific differences between Utah Small Areas. In 2018, Hispanic adults aged 50-75 were significantly less likely (43.6%) than non-Hispanic adults (72.4%) to report having completed the recommended colorectal cancer screening. Those who racially identified as Asian (55.3%) or American Indian/Alaskan Native (49.7%) were also significantly less likely to report having completed the recommended colorectal cancer screening compared to all races (70.7%) for combined years 2014, 2016, and 2018. In 2018, those who reported having received less than a high school education were screened for colorectal cancer at significantly lower rates (49.8%) than others who had more education. Average colorectal cancer screening rates increased with each additional education level attained. Also in 2018, those who reported an annual household income of less than $25,000 were significantly less likely to report having completed a recommended colorectal cancer screening (59.8%) compared to those with higher incomes. Adults aged 65-75 were significantly more likely to report having received a recommended colorectal cancer screening (80.7%) than adults aged 50-64 (64.4%) based on 2018 BRFSS data. There was no significant difference in colorectal cancer screening rates between males and females.

What Is Being Done?

Screening for colorectal cancer has recently been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a priority public health issue. The Utah Cancer Control Program (UCCP) monitors the use of colorectal cancer screening tests by Utahns through the statewide Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which is conducted annually.

Healthy People Objective: Increase the proportion of adults who receive a colorectal cancer screening based on the most recent guidelines

U.S. Target: 70.5 percent
State Target: 80 percent among adults aged 50-75

Date Indicator Content Last Updated: 10/08/2020


Other Views

The information provided above is from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services IBIS-PH web site (http://ibis.health.state.gov). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Fri, 29 March 2024 8:33:22 from Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health Web site: http://ibis.health.state.gov ".

Content updated: Fri, 8 Jan 2021 16:11:13 MST