Many Americans not getting breast, cervical, colon cancer screenings

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

According to a study published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, researchers have found that many Americans are not getting recommended screening tests for breast, cervical, and colon cancers.

Specifically, results showed that among adults in the age groups recommended for screening, approximately one in four women not up to date with breast cancer screening, one in five women were not up to date with cervical cancer screening, and two in five were not up to date with colon cancer screening.

Of note, colon cancer screening rates were stagnant from 2010 to 2013 and cervical cancer screening using the Pap test in women 21 to 65 years of age was lower in 2013 than in 2000. In addition, mammography screenings changed minimally from previous years.

"It is often difficult to get patients to comply with screening tests, especially when they are uninsured or underinsured," said Dr. Stephanie Bernik, chief of surgical oncology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. However, healthcare providers need to convince patients that early screening can improve outcomes.