Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in Women Aged 45 to 64 Years

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Preventive Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Women aged 45-64 are recommended for regular breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening.
• Screening test utilization varies significantly among this demographic.
• Identifying screening gaps is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate screening patterns for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers in women aged 45-64.
• To identify disparities and gaps in cancer screening utilization.
• To determine factors associated with up-to-date (UTD) screening status.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of the 2024 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS).
• Inclusion of US women aged 45-64 years.
• Statistical analysis using survey-weighted means and regression models to assess screening patterns and associated factors.

Main Results:

• Over 50% of women (50.3%) were up-to-date (UTD) with all three cancer screenings.
• An estimated 17.9 million women aged 45-64 were due for at least one screening test.
• Socioeconomic and access factors (insurance, regular healthcare provider) were associated with screening completion.

Conclusions:

• A significant number of middle-aged US women are not up-to-date with recommended cancer screenings.
• Policies and interventions should focus on improving access and promoting bundled screening approaches.
• Addressing screening gaps can reduce the burden of screen-detectable cancers.