An Analysis of Colorectal Cancer Screening Behavior among Overweight and Obese Participants in a National Survey

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the relationship between being overweight or obese and being up-to-date with CRC screening. Methods: We used the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) to evaluate participants' compliance to CRC screening guidelines for fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and endoscopy (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy). Our analytic cohort included 4,234 respondents without a personal history of CRC who were at least 50 years old, reported their current weights and heights and answered questions regarding their use of CRC screening modalities. We used logistic regression analyses to examine the association of being overweight or obese with being current with CRC screening (FOBT within one year, sigmoidoscopy within five years, or colonoscopy within 10 years). We used survey weights and variance estimation procedures to account for the complex survey design. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The mean age of participants was 65.1 years, 59.6% female, 81.6% white, 8.6% black, 92.8 % had health insurance and 65.9% were overweight or obese. Overall, 65.3% of participants were up-to-date with CRC screening regardless of the screening modality. After adjusting for age, sex, income, health insurance, marital status and education level, BMI was not associated with being up-to-date with CRC screening (Table).Table: Up to date with CRC screening by modalityConclusion: Colorectal cancer screening compliance does not explain the greater risk of CRC associated with being overweight or obese. Maintenance of healthy weight should be recommended for all.