A survey of older Californians shows that many - especially women and Latinos - are not being screened for colorectal cancer as they should be.

People are often unaware of the importance of colon cancer screening, researchers report in the medical journal Cancer.

Overall, investigator Dr. Ninez A. Ponce told Reuters Health, “Colorectal cancer test use is disappointingly low - 54 percent - and is especially low among women and Latinos.”

Ponce, of the University of California at Los Angeles Center for Policy Research, and colleagues note that when colorectal cancer is detected early, 90 percent of patients survive at least five years. When the disease is advanced, only 9 percent survive that long.

Using data from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey, the researchers identified responses from 22,343 people aged 50 years or more - the recommended age to begin screening for colorectal cancer for most people.

Less than 54 percent reported having recently had a colorectal cancer test, and Latinos under the age of 66 years were less likely than whites to be tested.

Men were more likely than women to be tested. Women were more likely than men to say that their doctors did not tell them about the test, and that colorectal cancer tests “were painful or embarrassing.”

“Most importantly,” added Ponce, “we found that having both insurance coverage and a regular source of care was the most powerful predictor of whether an individual received a colorectal cancer test.”

He added, “Consumers need to know that the colorectal cancer tests are prevention measures and can save lives. Doctors need to be knowledgeable about clinical guidelines, and be mindful of cancer screening schedules for their patients.”

SOURCE: Cancer, December 1, 2004.