Race and Prevalence of Large Bowel Polyps Among the Low-Income and Uninsured in South Carolina.

BACKGROUND: Compared to whites, blacks have higher colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates and are at greater risk for early-onset disease. The reasons for this racial disparity are poorly understood, but one contributing factor could be differences in access to high-quality screening and medical care. AIMS: The present study was carried out to assess whether a racial difference in prevalence of large bowel polyps persists within a poor and uninsured population (n = 233, 124 blacks, 91 whites, 18 other) undergoing screening colonoscopy. METHODS: Eligible patients were uninsured, asymptomatic, had no personal history of colorectal neoplasia, and were between the ages 45-64 years (blacks) or 50-64 years (whites, other). We examined the prevalence of any adenoma (conventional, serrated) and then difference in adenoma/polyp type by race and age categories. RESULTS: Prevalence for ≥1 adenoma was 37 % (95 % CI 31-43 %) for all races combined and 36 % in blacks <50 years, 38 % in blacks ≥50 years, and 35 % in whites. When stratified by race, blacks had a higher prevalence of large conventional proximal neoplasia (8 %) compared to whites (2 %) (p value = 0.06) but a lower prevalence of any serrated-like (blacks 18 %, whites 32 %; p value = 0.02) and sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (blacks 2 %, whites 8 % Chi-square p value; p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within this uninsured population, the overall prevalence of adenomas was high and nearly equal by race, but the racial differences observed between serrated and conventional polyp types emphasize the importance of taking polyp type into account in future research on this topic.

Choice of screening modality in a colorectal cancer education and screening program for the uninsured.

BACKGROUND: Starting in 2001, the state of Maryland established a carefully planned and executed multicomponent intervention to reduce mortality and disparities in colorectal cancer. METHODS: In the most populous county, uninsured participants received education and a choice of free screening by fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) or colonoscopy or both. RESULTS: Over 2 years, a group of 1,672 uninsured individuals, of whom 90% were minorities, registered with the program. Overall, screening uptake was 41% with colonoscopy, 10% with FOBT, and 10% with both FOBT and colonoscopy. CONCLUSION: The choices of colorectal cancer screening modalities by a diverse uninsured population demonstrates the importance of maintaining screening options.

Legume intake and reduced colorectal adenoma risk in African-Americans.

Colorectal adenomas are known precursors for colorectal cancer. Several studies have shown that dietary factors can influence adenoma formation and growth. This study was conducted using African-American men and women who were undergoing colonoscopies in order to examine the relationship between selected dietary factors and the risk for colon polyps. In a case-control design, 186 men and women with a mean of 58 years of age were studied. A multiple logistic regression model was used to adjust for potential confounding variables and to determine which factors influence colorectal adenoma risk. Study results revealed that consumption of legumes such as dried beans, split peas, or lentils was negatively associated with risk (OR = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.04-0.91). Legumes are a good source of dietary fiber and of phytochemical compounds that may play a role in reducing adenoma formation or growth, thereby decreasing the risk of colorectal cancer. Nurses working with African-Americans should encourage consumption of these foods to decrease this risk.