Colorectal cancer screening practices among cancer survivors five years after diagnosis

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has a high incidence worldwide, especially in high-income countries. In France, a national CRC screening program targeting residents aged 50–74 years has been in place since 2009. Little is known about CRC screening practices in cancer survivors, even though some have an increased risk of developing a second cancer in the colorectum. This study aims to identify the barriers to CRC screening among cancer survivors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study based on the French national VICAN survey included individuals diagnosed in 2010 with a cancer in 1 of 11 locations other than the colorectum and interviewed 5 years after diagnosis about various health-related issues. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with lack of up-to-date CRC screening in cancer survivors without cancer progression.

Results

Of the 2935 cancer survivors included in the study, 35.3% reported undergoing a screening test in the previous 2 years. The rate of up-to-date CRC screening rose to 49.3% in survivors aged 51–75 years. Among these, lack of CRC screening in the recommended time frame was associated with obesity, current smoking, non-use of complementary medicine, perceived financial difficulties, and poor access to general practitioners.

Conclusions

Barriers to CRC screening can be personal and/or institutional.