Screening rates for colorectal cancer in Canada: a cross-sectional study

Implementation of population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs should reduce disparities in participation in CRC screening. We estimated CRC screening rates in 2012 in Canada and assessed predictors of screening in provinces with and without well-established population-based screening programs.

We used data from the Canadian Community Health Survey for 2012 to calculate the prevalence of up-to-date CRC screening, defined as fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) within 2 years before the survey or flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy within 10 years before the survey, or both. Weighted proportions of individuals with up-to-date screening were calculated and logistic regression analysis performed to assess predictors of up-to-date CRC screening, including differences in participation by income level.

The prevalence of up-to-date CRC screening among people 50-74 years of age in 2012 was 55.2%, ranging from 41.3% in the territories to 67.2% in the province of Manitoba. The rate for sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy was 37.2% (highest in Ontario, at 43.3%), and for FOBT it was 30.1% (highest in Manitoba, at 51.7%). About 41% of those who had an FOBT also had a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Individuals in the highest income group were more likely than those in lower-income groups to be up to date with CRC screening, even in provinces with well-established population-based screening programs.

More than half of Canadians were up to date with CRC screening in 2012, but there were large differences among provinces. Differences by income group in provinces with population-based screening programs need particular attention.