Most Patients Who Have Not Had Colorectal Cancer Screening Have Not Been Offered Screening

Previous studies have shown that most patients who had not undergone colorectal cancer (CRC) screening reportedly had not been offered screening by their primary care provider.

This study used pooled survey data from the 2019 and 2021 National Health Interview surveys. Among 5022 adults who were eligible and overdue for screening and had a wellness visit in the past year, 26.8% received a recommendation for CRC screening. The prevalence of screening recommendations was 10% among adults without a usual source of care and up to 32% for adults with family income more than 400% above the federal poverty level. Compared with White adults, an offer of screening was reported 47% less often among non-Hispanic Asian individuals, 24% less often among non-Hispanic Black adults, and 18% less often among Hispanic patients. The rate of screening offers was reportedly 24% lower among those with less than a high school education than those with a college education. Uninsured adults had a 49% lower chance of being offered screening than those with private insurance.