Equity-focused interventions to increase colorectal cancer screening
This report examines the equity-focused interventions that can improve access to colorectal cancer screening and increase screening rates among specific populations across Canada
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How health equity affects colorectal screening rates
Canada’s national target is for 60% of people eligible for colorectal cancer screening to participate in cancer screening—a target no province or territory has yet achieved. With screening numbers especially low among some groups of recent immigrants and low-income households, and with the incidence of colorectal cancer especially high in rural and remote communities, more needs to be done to protect these populations.
Learn more about the report about How health equity affects colorectal screening ratesRecommendations
To increase colorectal screening rates in Canada, health system leaders must change the way screening services and systems are created, working with local communities and specific populations to develop tailored approaches that better meet the diverse needs of all people in Canada.
Read the recommendations about RecommendationsFactors affecting colorectal cancer screening rates in Canada
This report examines the barriers that make it difficult for people in these groups to access screening–and the strategies that can be used to overcome those barriers.
Learn about screening rates in Canada about Factors affecting colorectal cancer screening rates in CanadaIncome
People in low-income households are less likely to be screened for colorectal cancer.
Immigration
Nearly two-thirds of recent immigrants said they hadn’t been tested because they didn’t know the test existed or was needed.
Geography
People living in rural and remote areas are more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
Health status
People with multiple chronic conditions are more likely to get screened for colorectal cancer.
Barriers and inequities
Barriers that make it difficult for some people to access colorectal cancer screening include:
- Healthcare provider barriers, such as not having a regular healthcare provider, or not getting a screening recommendation from their provider
- Health system barriers, such as difficulty navigating or accessing the health system, or systemic racism prejudice
- Support and education barriers, such as fear of and misconceptions about screening, scheduling conflicts or language barriers
Strategies to improve screening rates
To raise overall colorectal screening rates, efforts should focused on making improvements across three strategic areas:
- Community demand—by using participant reminders, small media (e.g., letters, brochures) and education
- Community access—by reducing system-level access barriers and minimizing participants’ out-of-pocket costs
- Provider delivery—by providing culturally appropriate and safe care, implementing recall and reminder systems, and offering provider education, assessment and feedback approaches
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- Full report (pdf)