Abstract
Background: Tobacco use doubles the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Early detection screening for CRC should begin at 50y of age and be repeated at least every 10y. African Americans have a higher incidence of colorectal cancer when compared to Georgia and national rates.
Methods: Anonymous surveys were given to public housing residents (majority AA, low-income, n=155) at five sites from the Augusta Housing Authority, with questions about smoking status and when their last colonoscopy was performed. Results from residents 50 years and older (n=91) were selected. Descriptive analysis and a chi-square test of independence was performed to examine the relationship between smoking status and CRC screening.
Results: Respondents (n=188) reported: smoker (31%), male (34%), African American (89%), less than $25,00/yr in income (84%), last colonoscopy received less than a year ago (18%), 1-5 years ago (39%), 6-10 years ago (8%), more than 10 years ago (3%), and never (32%). Over half of the smokers surveyed (n=33, 57%) reported never receiving a colonoscopy. A majority of non-smokers (n=102, 79%) reported having received a colonoscopy within the last 10 years. Non-smokers were significantly more likely than smokers to have ever received a CRC screening, (X2 (1, N = 188) = 22.88, p < .001).
Discussion: Smokers are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, and regular screening can allow for early detection which increases the rate of survival. In this sample, smokers were significantly less likely to report ever having had a CRC screening. This data indicates a high need for efforts to increase CRC screening among all residents, but in particular among smoking residents of the AHA.
Summary: Tobacco use doubles the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC screening should begin at 50y of age and be repeated at least every 10y. African Americans have a higher CRC incidence when compared to Georgia and national rates. Public housing residents completed anonymous surveys (n=188), reporting smoking status and CRC screening behaviors. Of those >50y, 31% reported smoking and 32% had never received a colonoscopy. Non-smokers were significantly more likely to have ever received a CRC screening. This data indicates a high need for efforts to increase CRC screening among all residents, but in particular among those who smoke.
Keywords
cancer prevention, colorectal cancer, screening, tobacco use, smoking
Colorectal cancer screening behaviors among smoking and non-smoking public housing residents in Georgia
Background: Tobacco use doubles the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Early detection screening for CRC should begin at 50y of age and be repeated at least every 10y. African Americans have a higher incidence of colorectal cancer when compared to Georgia and national rates.
Methods: Anonymous surveys were given to public housing residents (majority AA, low-income, n=155) at five sites from the Augusta Housing Authority, with questions about smoking status and when their last colonoscopy was performed. Results from residents 50 years and older (n=91) were selected. Descriptive analysis and a chi-square test of independence was performed to examine the relationship between smoking status and CRC screening.
Results: Respondents (n=188) reported: smoker (31%), male (34%), African American (89%), less than $25,00/yr in income (84%), last colonoscopy received less than a year ago (18%), 1-5 years ago (39%), 6-10 years ago (8%), more than 10 years ago (3%), and never (32%). Over half of the smokers surveyed (n=33, 57%) reported never receiving a colonoscopy. A majority of non-smokers (n=102, 79%) reported having received a colonoscopy within the last 10 years. Non-smokers were significantly more likely than smokers to have ever received a CRC screening, (X2 (1, N = 188) = 22.88, p < .001).
Discussion: Smokers are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, and regular screening can allow for early detection which increases the rate of survival. In this sample, smokers were significantly less likely to report ever having had a CRC screening. This data indicates a high need for efforts to increase CRC screening among all residents, but in particular among smoking residents of the AHA.
Summary: Tobacco use doubles the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC screening should begin at 50y of age and be repeated at least every 10y. African Americans have a higher CRC incidence when compared to Georgia and national rates. Public housing residents completed anonymous surveys (n=188), reporting smoking status and CRC screening behaviors. Of those >50y, 31% reported smoking and 32% had never received a colonoscopy. Non-smokers were significantly more likely to have ever received a CRC screening. This data indicates a high need for efforts to increase CRC screening among all residents, but in particular among those who smoke.
