Use of Cancer Screening Tests, United States, 2023

The objective of this analysis was to provide national estimates for use of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests, including for the recently expanded CRC screening age group (ages 45-75 y).

We used data from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey to estimate proportions of screening-eligible adults up to date with breast (women aged 50-74 y), cervical (women aged 21-65 y), and CRC screening (adults aged 45-75 y). We compared breast and CRC estimates age-standardized to the 2000 US standard population to Healthy People 2030 (HP2030) targets. Age-standardized estimates of breast, cervical, and CRC test use were compared with estimates from 2019 (breast, cervical) and 2021 (breast, cervical, CRC).

In 2023, estimated percentages of adults up to date were 80.0% (95% CI, 78.7%-81.2%), 75.4% (95% CI, 74.1%-76.6%), and 67.4% (95% CI, 66.3%-68.4%), for breast, cervical, and CRC screening test use, respectively. CRC test use was lower among those aged 45 to 49 years than those aged 50 to 75 years (37.1% vs 73.4%, P < .001). Mammography use approximated the HP2030 target. CRC test use was below the target. Breast, cervical, and CRC screening test use varied with almost all sociodemographic characteristics and health care access, financial hardship, and other barriers examined. Mammography estimates were somewhat higher and cervical test estimates were lower in 2023 than in 2019 and 2021. CRC test use was lower in 2023 than 2021.

In 2023, most adults were up to date with breast, cervical, and CRC screening test use; however, 1 in 3 adults (CRC) to 1 in 5 adults (breast) were not. Future monitoring can help determine if changes continue and track progress toward national targets.