U.S. cancer screening rate disparities

Recent research highlights significant gaps in preventive cancer screenings among adults in the United States, specifically regarding lung and colorectal health.

Studies indicate that lung cancer screening rates remain low, with fewer than one in five eligible adults up to date. Barriers to these screenings include costs, insurance coverage, and approval requirements. While digital outreach programs like mPATH-Lung have been tested, they often fail to reach marginalized populations, including rural residents, older adults, and Black or Hispanic participants. Experts suggest that technology may exacerbate health inequities and recommend hybrid approaches combining digital tools with human support and community partnerships.

Regarding colorectal cancer, approximately 34.5% of Americans aged 45 to 75 are not up to date on screenings. Risk factors for being overdue include lacking a regular doctor or being uninsured. Data shows that U.S.-born adults without a usual source of care have a 71.6% overdue rate, compared to 30.6% for those with a regular doctor. Younger eligible adults between ages 45 and 49 exhibit the highest rates of being overdue at 61.8%.