The role of a social determinants of health summary measure on the association between cancer history status and colorectal cancer screening utilization among screening eligible adults

Abstract

Objective: We sought to examine the influence of social needs on the relationship between cancer history and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening utilization among adults in the United States. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Our outcome of interest was utilization of guideline-concordant CRC screening and exposures of interest were cancer history/levels of social needs. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the association. Results: Among 74,743 eligible adults, a majority did not have a personal history of cancer (87.9 %), had at least one social need (58.4 %), and had undergone CRC screening (72.2 %). In multivariable analysis, a history of cancer was positively associated with use of CRC screening (OR = 1.59, 95 %CI, 1.35 – 1.87). Having at least one social need was associated with lower likelihood of being screened (one social need: OR = 0.85 95 %CI, 0.76 – 0.95; two + social needs: OR = 0.77, 95 % CI, 0.69 – 0.87). When exploring the effects of social needs, adults without a history of cancer who reported at least one need were 12–20 % less likely to be screened for CRC. Conclusions: A personal history of cancer was associated with greater utilization of CRC screening, whilst having at least one social need had lower screening use. Having social needs plays an important role in reducing screening uptake among adults without a history of cancer. Integrated care that considers both cancer history and social needs may have implications for improved adherence of CRC screening recommendations.

Keywords

• Social determinants of health
• Cancer history
• Colorectal cancer screening
• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
• Preventive care