Racial and ethnic variations in the effects of family history of colorectal cancer on screening compliance

Screening recommendation adherence among first-degree relatives of individuals with colorectal cancer

A first-degree relative (FDR) with colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most important risk factors for the disease. Adherence to CRC screening recommendations can help mitigate this risk; however, adherence has historically been low. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with CRC screening. The study used data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey. CRC screening rates were compared between FDRs and their peers without a family history of CRC. Participants were considered to be adherent if they had undergone any of the following: fecal immunochemical test within the prior 1 year, sigmoidscopy or computed tomography colongraphy within 5 years, or colonoscopy within 10 years. The analysis included 11,381 participants age 50-75 at time of survey. Overall, 62% of participants were adherent to screening recommendations. Seventy-six percent of FDRs of individuals with CRC were adherent to guidelines; they were 86% more likely to be adherent than their peers. Race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic variables were all associated with adherence. Models were largely similar between FDRs of individuals with CRC and the general public. Nearly one-quarter of FDRs of individuals with CRC are not adherent to screening recommendations. Further outreach is needed for members of minority races and the Hispanic community and additional efforts are needed to increase the accessibility of CRC screening for those with more limited finances and the uninsured.

Racial and ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality

The occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC) shows a large disparity among recognized races and ethnicities in the U.S., with Black Americans demonstrating the highest incidence and mortality from this disease. Contributors for the observed CRC disparity appear to be multifactorial and consequential that may be initiated by structured societal issues (e.g., low socioeconomic status and lack of adequate health insurance) that facilitate abnormal environmental factors (through use of tobacco and alcohol, and poor diet composition that modifies one's metabolism, microbiome and local immune microenvironment) and trigger cancer-specific immune and genetic changes (e.g., localized inflammation and somatic driver gene mutations). Mitigating the disparity by prevention through CRC screening has been demonstrated; this has not been adequately shown once CRC has developed. Acquiring additional knowledge into the science behind the observed disparity will inform approaches towards abating both the incidence and mortality of CRC between U.S. racial and ethnic groups.

Disparities in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

The incidence and mortality of early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) are increasing in the United States (US) and worldwide. In the US, there are notable disparities in early-onset CRC burden by race/ethnicity and geography. African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, and populations residing in specific regions of the Southern U.S. are disproportionately affected with CRC diagnosed at younger ages, while less is known about disparities in other countries. Reasons for these disparities are likely multi-factorial and potentially implicate differences in health determinants including biology/genetics, diet/environment, individual health behaviors, and access to high-quality health services, as well as social and policy factors. This review summarizes current understanding of early-onset CRC disparities and identifies specific research areas that will inform evidence-based interventions at individual, practice, and policy levels to reduce the global burden of this disease.

A systematic review of quantitative bias analysis applied to epidemiological research

BACKGROUND

Quantitative bias analysis (QBA) measures study errors in terms of direction, magnitude and uncertainty. This systematic review aimed to describe how QBA has been applied in epidemiological research in 2006-19.

METHODS

We searched PubMed for English peer-reviewed studies applying QBA to real-data applications. We also included studies citing selected sources or which were identified in a previous QBA review in pharmacoepidemiology. For each study, we extracted the rationale, methodology, bias-adjusted results and interpretation and assessed factors associated with reproducibility.

RESULTS

Of the 238 studies, the majority were embedded within papers whose main inferences were drawn from conventional approaches as secondary (sensitivity) analyses to quantity-specific biases (52%) or to assess the extent of bias required to shift the point estimate to the null (25%); 10% were standalone papers. The most common approach was probabilistic (57%). Misclassification was modelled in 57%, uncontrolled confounder(s) in 40% and selection bias in 17%. Most did not consider multiple biases or correlations between errors. When specified, bias parameters came from the literature (48%) more often than internal validation studies (29%). The majority (60%) of analyses resulted in >10% change from the conventional point estimate; however, most investigators (63%) did not alter their original interpretation. Degree of reproducibility related to inclusion of code, formulas, sensitivity analyses and supplementary materials, as well as the QBA rationale.

CONCLUSIONS

QBA applications were rare though increased over time. Future investigators should reference good practices and include details to promote transparency and to serve as a reference for other researchers.

Association of genetic ancestry with colorectal tumor location in Puerto Rican Latinos

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the first cause of cancer deaths among Puerto Ricans. The incidence and mortality of CRC in Puerto Rico continue to be on the rise. The burden of CRC in Puerto Rico is higher than among US Hispanics and is second only to African Americans, thus supporting the importance of studying this CRC health disparity. The genetic background of the Puerto Rican population is a mix of European, African, and Amerindian races, which may account, in part, for the differences observed in the CRC mortality rates among Puerto Ricans. The objective of the study was to assess the role of genetic ancestry in CRC risk and its association with clinicopathological features of CRC tumors in Puerto Ricans.

Results

We used a validated panel of 105 ancestry informative markers (AIMs) to estimate genetic ancestry in 406 Puerto Rican CRC cases and 425 Puerto Rican controls. We examined the association of genetic ancestry with CRC risk and tumor clinicopathological characteristics.

Conclusions

The mean ancestry proportions in the study population were 61% European, 21% African, and 18% Amerindian. No association was observed between genetic ancestry and risk of CRC. However, African ancestry was associated with an increased risk of developing rectal tumors (OR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.04–2.31). Additional studies are needed to fully elucidate the role of African ancestry in CRC carcinogenesis.

Determinants of Cancer Screening Disparities Among Asian Americans: A Systematic Review of Public Health Surveys

We conducted a systematic analysis of 24 peer-reviewed literary works that examined Asian Americans' breast, cervical, and colon cancer screening, focusing on empirical findings from large-scale public health surveys (i.e., NHIS, CHIS, HINTS, BRFSS). We provide an overview of relevant research in terms of study characteristics, samples, predictor/covariate of cancer screenings, and key findings. Our analysis indicates that Asian Americans' cancer screening rates are lower than for non-Hispanic Whites for all cancer types in four large-scale public health surveys throughout 17 study years. Acculturation and healthcare access were two significant factors in explaining Asian Americans' cancer screening rates. Cancer fatalism and family cancer history emerged as potential factors that may account for more variances. However, the screening disparities between Asian Americans and whites persist even after adjusting all covariates, including SES, acculturation, healthcare access, health status, and health perception/literacy. More individual and cultural factors should be identified to address these disparities.

Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy use among older adults in different countries: A systematic review

Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) by colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing CRC incidence and mortality, and they are increasingly employed as screening tests and for diagnostic purposes in many countries. We conducted a systematic review to provide up-to-date estimates on the utilization of lower gastrointestinal endoscopy (colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy) in the general average-risk population in different countries. PubMed and Web of Science were searched for relevant articles published between 1 September 2008 and 31 October 2016. A total of 23 studies from the US and 20 studies from other countries were included in this review. Estimates from the US were highest, continued to increase over the past decade and reached 62% for colonoscopy use within 10years in people aged 50-75years in 2012. Endoscopy use in other countries was substantially lower (12-44% for lifetime colonoscopy use and 13-30% for recent colonoscopy use), except for Germany, where 55% of the screening-eligible population reported colonoscopy utilization within the previous 10years in 2008-2011. Both lifetime and recent endoscopy use increased with age and peaked at approximately 70-75years. Although several European and Asian countries have started to collect endoscopy utilization data through periodic national health surveys, more data are still much needed from non-US countries. With the implementation of CRC screening programs in an increasing number of countries, especially European countries, an increase in endoscopy use and subsequent reduction in CRC incidence and mortality in the years to come might be expected in those countries.

Generalized Linear Mixed Model Analysis of Urban-Rural Differences in Social and Behavioral Factors for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Objective: Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) can reduce disease incidence, morbidity, and mortality. However, few studies have investigated the urban-rural differences in social and behavioral factors influencing CRC screening. The objective of the study was to investigate the potential factors across urban-rural groups on the usage of CRC screening. Methods: A total of 38,505 adults (aged ≥40 years) were selected from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data - the latest CHIS data on CRC screening. The weighted generalized linear mixed-model (WGLIMM) was used to deal with this hierarchical structure data. Weighted simple and multiple mixed logistic regression analyses in SAS ver. 9.4 were used to obtain the odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The overall prevalence of CRC screening was 48.1% while the prevalence in four residence groups - urban, second city, suburban, and town/rural, were 45.8%, 46.9%, 53.7% and 50.1%, respectively. The results of WGLIMM analysis showed that there was residence effect (p<0.0001) and residence groups had significant interactions with gender, age group, education level, and employment status (p<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, race, marital status, education level, employment stats, binge drinking, and smoking status were associated with CRC screening (p<0.05). Stratified by residence regions, age and poverty level showed associations with CRC screening in all four residence groups. Education level was positively associated with CRC screening in second city and suburban. Infrequent binge drinking was associated with CRC screening in urban and suburban; while current smoking was a protective factor in urban and town/rural groups. Conclusions: Mixed models are useful to deal with the clustered survey data. Social factors and behavioral factors (binge drinking and smoking) were associated with CRC screening and the associations were affected by living areas such as urban and rural regions.

Understanding the contribution of family history to colorectal cancer risk and its clinical implications: A state-of-the-science review

Persons with a family history (FH) of colorectal cancer (CRC) or adenomas that are not due to known hereditary syndromes have an increased risk for CRC. An understanding of these risks, screening recommendations, and screening behaviors can inform strategies for reducing the CRC burden in these families. A comprehensive review of the literature published within the past 10 years has been performed to assess what is known about cancer risk, screening guidelines, adherence and barriers to screening, and effective interventions in persons with an FH of CRC and to identify FH tools used to identify these individuals and inform care. Existing data show that having 1 affected first-degree relative (FDR) increases the CRC risk 2-fold, and the risk increases with multiple affected FDRs and a younger age at diagnosis. There is variability in screening recommendations across consensus guidelines. Screening adherence is <50% and is lower in persons under the age of 50 years. A provider's recommendation, multiple affected relatives, and family encouragement facilitate screening; insufficient collection of FH, low knowledge of guidelines, and poor family communication are important barriers. Effective interventions incorporate strategies for overcoming barriers, but these have not been broadly tested in clinical settings. Four strategies for reducing CRC in persons with familial risk are suggested: 1) improving the collection and utilization of the FH of cancer, 2) establishing a consensus for screening guidelines by FH, 3) enhancing provider-patient knowledge of guidelines and communication about CRC risk, and 4) encouraging survivors to promote screening within their families and partnering with existing screening programs to expand their reach to high-risk groups. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:2633-2645. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Patient Beliefs About Colon Cancer Screening

Only about half of eligible individuals undergo colon cancer screening. We have limited knowledge about the patient beliefs that adversely affect screening decisions and about which beliefs might be amenable to change through education. As part of a clinical trial, 641 rural Iowans, aged 52 to 79 years, reported their beliefs about colon cancer screening in response to a mailed questionnaire. Consenting subjects were randomized into four groups, which were distinguished by four levels of increasingly intensive efforts to promote screening. Two of the groups received mailed educational materials and completed a follow-up questionnaire, which allowed us to determine whether their beliefs about screening changed following the education. We also completed a factor analysis to identify underlying (latent) factors that might explain the responses to 33 questions about readiness, attitudes, and perceived barriers related to colon cancer screening. The strongest predictors of a patient's stated readiness to be screened were a physician's recommendation to be screened (1 point difference on 10-point Likert scale, 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.5 to 1.6 point difference), a family history of colon cancer (0.85-point Likert scale difference, 95 % CI, 0.1 to 1.6), and a belief that health-care decisions should be mostly left to physicians rather than patients (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.21, P < .001). Of the 33 questionnaire items about screening beliefs, 11 (33 %) changed favorably following the educational intervention. In the factor analysis, the 33 items were reduced to 8 underlying factors, such as being too busy to undergo screening and worries about screening procedures. We found a limited number of underlying factors that may help explain patient resistance to colon cancer screening.

Increased risk for colorectal cancer under age 50 in racial and ethnic minorities living in the United States

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death in USA. We analyzed CRC disparities in African Americans, Hispanics, Asians/Pacific Islanders, and American Indians/Alaska Natives compared to non‐Hispanic Whites. Current guidelines recommend screening for CRC beginning at age 50. Using SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database 1973–2009 and North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) 1995–2009 dataset, we performed frequency and rate analysis on colorectal cancer demographics and incidence based on race/ethnicity. We also used the SEER database to analyze stage, grade, and survival based on race/ethnicity. Utilizing SEER database, the median age of CRC diagnosis is significantly less in Hispanics (66 years), Asians/Pacific Islanders (68 years), American Indians/Alaska Natives (64 years), and African Americans (64 years) compared to non‐Hispanic whites (72 years). Twelve percent of Asians/Pacific Islanders, 15.4% Hispanics, 16.5% American Indians/Alaska Natives, and 11.9% African Americans with CRC are diagnosed at age <50 years compared to only 6.7% in non‐Hispanic Whites (P < 0.0001). Minority groups have more advanced stages at diagnosis compared to non‐Hispanic Whites. Trend analysis showed age‐adjusted incidence rates of CRC diagnosed under the age of 50 years have significantly increased in all racial and ethnic groups but are stable in African Americans. These results were confirmed through analysis of NAACCR 1995–2009 dataset covering nearly the entire USA. A significantly higher proportion of minority groups in USA with CRC are diagnosed before age 50 compared to non‐Hispanic Whites, documenting that these minority groups are at higher risk for early CRC. Further studies are needed to identify the causes and risk factors responsible for young onset CRC among minority groups and to develop intervention strategies including earlier CRC screening, among others.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Colonoscopic Examination of Individuals With a Family History of Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Guidelines recommend that persons with a high-risk family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) undergo colonoscopy examinations every 5 years, starting when they are 40 years old. We investigated factors associated with colonoscopy screening of individuals with a family history of CRC, focusing on race and ethnicity.

METHODS

In a retrospective study, we analyzed data from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey on persons 40-80 years old with a first-degree relative (mother, father, sibling, or child) with CRC who had visited a physician within the past 5 years. Our study included an unweighted and population-weighted sample of 2539 and 870,214 individuals with a family history of CRC, respectively. We performed a survey-weighted logistic regression analysis to adjust for relevant demographic and socioeconomic variables and used estimates to calculate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for colonoscopy examination within the past 5 years.

RESULTS

In the weighted sample, 60.0% of subjects received a colonoscopy within the past 5 years. A physician recommendation for CRC screening increased the odds that an individual would undergo colonoscopy examination (relative risk, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.61-2.24). Latinos were 31% less likely to receive colonoscopies than whites (95% CI, 7%-55%). Among individuals 40-49 years old, blacks were 71% less likely to have had a colonoscopy than whites (95% CI, 13%-96%).

CONCLUSION

On the basis of an analysis of data from the California Health Interview Survey, less than two-thirds of individuals with a family history of CRC reported receiving guideline-recommended colonoscopy examinations within the past 5 years. We observed racial and ethnic disparities in colonoscopy screening of this high-risk group; Latinos and blacks were less likely to have had a colonoscopy than whites.

Screening for colorectal cancer in African Americans: determinants and rationale for an earlier age to commence screening

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is a cost-effective approach to reduce morbidity, mortality, and prevalence of CRC in populations. Current recommendations for asymptomatic populations begin screening at age 50 years, after which ~95% of cancers occur. Determinants that modify timing and frequency for screening include: personal/family history of adenomas or CRC, age of onset of lesions, and presence or potential to harbor high-risk conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), or Lynch syndrome. Although race, like family history, is heritable, it has not engendered inclusion in systematic screening recommendations despite multiple studies demonstrating disparity in the incidence and mortality from CRC, and the potential for targeted screening to reduce disparity. African Americans, when compared to Caucasians, have lower CRC screening utilization, younger presentation for CRC, higher CRC prevalence at all ages, and higher proportion of CRCs before age 50 years (~11 vs. 5%); are less likely to transmit personal/family history of adenomas or CRC that may change screening age; show excess of high-risk proximal adenomas, matched with 7-15% excess right-sided CRCs that lack microsatellite instability; show higher frequencies of high-risk adenomas for every age decile; and demonstrate genetic biomarkers associated with metastasis. These epidemiological and biological parameters put African Americans at higher risk from CRC irrespective of socioeconomic issues, like IBD, FAP, and Lynch patients. Including race as a factor in national CRC screening guidelines and commencing screening at an age earlier than 50 years seems rational based on the natural history and aggressive behavior in this population.

The impact of stratifying by family history in colorectal cancer screening programs

In the province-wide colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program in Ontario, Canada, individuals with a family history of CRC are offered colonoscopy screening and those without are offered guaiac fecal occult blood testing (gFOBT, Hemoccult II). We used microsimulation modeling to estimate the cumulative number of CRC deaths prevented and colonoscopies performed between 2008 and 2038 with this family history-based screening program, compared to a regular gFOBT program. In both programs, we assumed screening uptake increased from 30% (participation level in 2008 before the program was launched) to 60%. We assumed that 11% of the population had a family history, defined as having at least one first-degree relative diagnosed with CRC. The programs offered screening between age 50 and 74 years, every two years for gFOBT, and every ten years for colonoscopy. Compared to opportunistic screening (2008 participation level kept constant at 30%), the gFOBT program cumulatively prevented 6,700 more CRC deaths and required 570,000 additional colonoscopies by 2038. The family history-based screening program increased these numbers to 9,300 and 1,100,000, a 40% and 93% increase, respectively. If biennial gFOBT was replaced with biennial fecal immunochemical test (FIT), annual Hemoccult Sensa or five-yearly sigmoidoscopy screening, both the added benefits and colonoscopies required would decrease. A biennial gFOBT screening program that identifies individuals with a family history of CRC and recommends them to undergo colonoscopy screening would prevent 40% (range in sensitivity analyses: 20-51%) additional deaths while requiring 93% (range: 43-116%) additional colonoscopies, compared to a regular gFOBT screening program.

Does ethnicity affect survival following colorectal cancer? A prospective, cohort study using Iranian cancer registry

BACKGROUND

The present study compared the differences between survivals of patients with colorectal cancer according to their ethnicity adjusted for other predictors of survival.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study patients were followed up from definite diagnosis of colorectal cancer to death. Totally, 2431 person-year follow-ups were undertaken for 1127 colorectal cancer patients once every six months. The data were analyzed by stata software using bivariate analysis, multivariate analysis, and Cox regression.

RESULTS

The age at diagnosis was significantly different between men and women (p<0.03). 61.2% were male and the rest were female. Most patients were Fars (51.2%), followed by Turciks (21.5%), Kurds (8.2%), and 7.5% Lurs. Of the patients, 75% had a survival of more than 2.72 years, 50% a survival of 5.83 years, and 25% longer than 13.1 years after diagnosis. Risk ratio was significantly different among ethnics (p<0.05). The variables of ethnicity, being non married, tumor grade, family history of cancer, and smoking were considered as determinants of the patients' survival in Cox regression model. The median survival time in Fars, Kurds, Lurs, Turks and other ethnics was 5.83, 2.44, 5.49, and 8.52 years, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Ethnicity and access to healthcare are predictors of survival of patients with colorectal cancer which may define priorities in controlling cancer and implementing interventional and prevention plans.