Asians, Hispanics Have Lower Cancer Screening Rates Than U.S. Average
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute identified a significant disparity in cancer screenings among Asian and Hispanic groups.
According to the report, the percentage of all U.S. citizens screened remains below national targets, but low rates among Hispanics and Asians are particularly concerning.
“Our study points to the particular need for finding ways to increase the use of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening tests among Asians, Hispanics, as well as adults who lack health insurance or a usual source of health care,” said Carrie Klabunde, Ph.D., an epidemiologist in NCI’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences and a co-author of the study.
In 2010, national breast cancer screening rates were 72.4 percent, cervical cancer screening was 83 percent, and colorectal cancer screening was 58.6 percent.
Asian screening rates for breast (64.1 percent), cervical (75.4 percent), and colorectal cancer (46.9 percent) were significantly lower, and Hispanics were less likely to be screened for cervical and colorectal cancer (78.7 percent and 46.5 percent, respectively).