Mo1089 Low Uptake of Colorectal Cancer Screening Among African-Americans in an Integrated Veterans Affairs Healthcare Network

Results: The overall screening rate by any method was 50%. Adjusted rates for any screening were lower among African Americans than non‐African Americans (42% vs 58%; odds ratio [OR] 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31‐ 0.77). Colonoscopic screening was also lower in African Americans (11% vs 23%; adjusted OR 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24‐0.77). In addition to race, homelessness, lower service connectedness, taking more prescription drugs, and not seeing a primary care provider within 2 years of screening eligibility predicted lower uptake of screening. Time to screening colonoscopy was longer in African Americans (adjusted hazard ratio 0.43; 95% CI, 0.25‐0.75). Limitations: The sample may not be generalizable. Conclusions: We found marked disparities in CRC screening despite similar access to care across races. Despite current guidelines aimed at increasing CRC screening in African Americans, participation in screening remained low, and use of colonoscopy was infrequent. (Gastrointest Endosc 2014;-:1-8.)