Colorectal Cancer Screening Disparities in Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: Which Groups Are Most Vulnerable?

Although some Asian American groups are receiving colorectal cancer screenings at relatively high rates, other Asian groups are not, according to an article in the Ethnicity & Health journal. Using 2001, 2003 and 2005 CHIS data, researchers with the University of Minnesota Twin Cities' School of Social Work found that 47 percent of Asian Americans aged 50 and older had colorectal cancer screenings compared with 58 percent of whites. Nearly 60 percent of Japanese Americans in that age group received cancer screenings but only 33 percent of Korean Americans did. The authors urge health professionals and policy makers to examine the disparities to better promote colorectal screening among Asian-American groups.