Submitted by Stephanie Holden on
The National Cancer Institute reported all states achieved the Healthy People 2010 objective of at least 50% compliance for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in adults age 50 and above. However, Louisiana had the lowest reported screening rate of 52.6% using endoscopy studies; colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. From 2002 to 2006, CRC was the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Louisiana with the highest average annual incidence rate seen in African Americans (AA) residing in the northwest region of the state. While there is extensive research data confirming colorectal cancer and screening disparities among AA, there is minimal research targeting elderly AA in the rural-south and specifically drilled-down to the parish-level. The purpose of the research was to examine CRC screening compliance using endoscopy procedures of colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, among African American Medicare beneficiaries in two neighboring parishes in northwest Louisiana.