The percentage of U.S. citizens screened for cancer remains below national targets, with significant disparities among racial and ethnic populations, according to research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Here are key findings from the CDC's report:
• In 2010, breast cancer screening rates were 72.4 percent, below the federal government's Healthy People 2020 target of 81 percent; cervical cancer screening was 83 percent, below the target of 93 percent; and colorectal cancer screening was 58.6 percent, below the target of 70.5 percent.
• Screening rates for all three cancers were significantly lower among Asians (64.1 percent for breast cancer, 75.4 percent for cervical cancer, and 46.9 percent for colorectal cancer) compared to other groups.
• In addition, Hispanics were less likely to be screened for cervical and colorectal cancer (78.7 percent and 46.5 percent, respectively) when compared to non-Hispanics (83.8 percent and 59.9 percent, respectively).
The authors noted the need to identify and track cancer screening disparities and develop programs to foster cancer screening in order to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality.
Here are key findings from the CDC's report:
• In 2010, breast cancer screening rates were 72.4 percent, below the federal government's Healthy People 2020 target of 81 percent; cervical cancer screening was 83 percent, below the target of 93 percent; and colorectal cancer screening was 58.6 percent, below the target of 70.5 percent.
• Screening rates for all three cancers were significantly lower among Asians (64.1 percent for breast cancer, 75.4 percent for cervical cancer, and 46.9 percent for colorectal cancer) compared to other groups.
• In addition, Hispanics were less likely to be screened for cervical and colorectal cancer (78.7 percent and 46.5 percent, respectively) when compared to non-Hispanics (83.8 percent and 59.9 percent, respectively).
The authors noted the need to identify and track cancer screening disparities and develop programs to foster cancer screening in order to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality.
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