Colorectal neoplasia prevalence in a predominantly Hispanic community: Results from a colorectal cancer screening program in Texas

Abstract

BackgroundA community-based, colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program for uninsured/underinsured individuals was successfully implemented in El Paso, Texas to increase CRC screening rates. Our aim was to determine the colorectal neoplasia prevalence among program participants and between screening groups. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed participant records from 2012 to 2017. Average-risk patients were first screened with a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and included if positive. Above average-risk patients due to a family history of CRC were referred directly for screening colonoscopy. Patients were excluded if experiencing melena or hematochezia or had a personal history of colon polyps or CRC. ResultsOf the 638 screening colonoscopies performed, 59.4% were in FIT-positive subjects and 40.6% were in subjects with a family history of CRC. Patients were predominantly female (72.9%), aged 50-65 years (84.2%), Hispanic (97.9%), and born in Mexico (92.4%). Overall, the detection rate for polyps, adenomas, and advanced adenomas was 46.2%, 34.3%, and 11.1%, respectively. Fifteen patients had adenocarcinoma (2.4%). Compared with colonoscopies in patients with a family history, FIT-positive patients demonstrated a higher prevalence of polyps (PR 1.39, 95% CI 1.09-1.78), adenomas (PR 1.55, 95% CI 1.15-2.07), advanced adenomas (PR 3.04, 95% CI 1.67-5.56). ConclusionsThis community-based CRC screening program in an enriched cohort of predominantly Mexican Americans was effective in identifying colorectal neoplasia and cancer. Additionally, there was an increased prevalence of colorectal neoplasia in average-risk, FIT-positive patients undergoing screening colonoscopy compared with above average-risk patients with a family history of CRC. Similar screening programs would likely benefit at-risk populations.