Abstract B32: Colonoscopy utilization in the Black Women's Health Study

The primary objective of the present study is to determine colorectal screening patterns via colonoscopy utilization in a national prospective cohort, the Black Women’s Health Study.

In 1995, 59,000 Black women aged 21 to 69 years were initially enrolled in the Black Women’s Health Study through questionnaires consisting of 54 self-report items that included demographics, medical history, health behaviors, and use of medical care. Follow-up questionnaires were sent every 2 years to update risk factors of interest and ascertain newly diagnosed diseases and screening practices. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).

The study sample comprised 10,992 black women whose ages ranged from 50 to 72 years in 1997 when detailed questions were first asked about cancer screening. Women who utilized mammography were more likely to have a colonoscopy than women who never screened for breast cancer (odds ratio = 2.64, 95% CI 2.27, 3.08). This was the strongest predictor of colonoscopy screening.

The importance of promoting multiple concurrent cancer screenings may be the best approach to increasing colonoscopy utilization among women.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B32.