Newly eligible younger adults are less likely to have discussed colorectal cancer (CRC) screening with their clinician compared with their older counterparts, according to a study published online Oct. 18 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine to coincide with the American Association for Cancer Research Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities, held from Oct. 18 to 21 in Atlanta.
Jordan Baeker Bispo, Ph.D., M.P.H., from the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, and colleagues used data from the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey to explore differences by age in receipt of clinician-delivered information on CRC screening. The study included individuals aged 45 to 75 years who did not report a history of colon or rectal cancer; 3,626 adults were included in the sample.
The researchers found that 50.3 percent of those aged 45 to 49 years reported that a clinician had ever told them about different CRC screening tests compared to 72.5 percent of those aged 65 to 75 years; the adjusted relative prevalence was significantly lower for younger adults (adjusted prevalence ratio, 0.73). Nearly one-quarter (23.2 percent) and 7.0 percent of those aged 45 to 49 years and those aged 65 to 75 years, respectively, reported that they had never discussed CRC screening tests with a clinician, with an adjusted relative prevalence 2.71 times higher for younger adults.
“This finding strongly suggests that patients who are newly age-eligible for screening are not receiving adequate information about their screening options from a health professional, and that could be contributing to low screening rates in this age group,” Baeker Bispo said in a statement.
Clinician recommendations remain one of the strongest predictors of screening uptake. When clinicians skip or delay these discussions, they create critical gaps in patient awareness, directly lowering screening rates and delaying diagnoses. Early detection through stool-based testing or colonoscopy can substantially improve outcomes. The recent rise in early-onset colorectal cancer has increased urgency around screening initiation, underscoring the need for more screening discussions in the exam room.
Although the study didn’t specifically focus on racial differences, its findings may have implications for populations disproportionately affected by colorectal cancer. Black Americans continue to face a higher burden of CRC mortality and have historical barriers to screening, including access issues, insurance gaps, and healthcare mistrust, making clinician engagement particularly important.
Here are some strategies that can help increase screening uptake among young patients:
The study suggests that patient eligibility alone doesn’t guarantee CRC screening conversations happen. As colorectal cancer rates continue to rise among younger adults, proactive discussions about screening options may help improve early detection rates.
For clinicians caring for Black patients and other populations disproportionately affected by CRC outcomes, ensuring these conversations happen consistently could represent a critical step toward reducing preventable disparities.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.pro You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
Are you a healthcare professional? Register with us today!
