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An Examination Of Early Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines For African Americans: Hints From The Hints Data, Torhonda C. Lee, Arlesia L. Mathis, Matthew T. Dutton

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background: Despite the overall gains in reducing colorectal cancer (CRC) deaths due to the increase in screening, minority racial/ethnic groups who have disparately higher rates of death compared to Whites, also have disproportionately lower screening rates. Patient-provider communication about screening has a strong influence on the uptake of screening. In much the same way that gradual impact was made after the 1996 implementation of guidelines recommending screening starting at age 50 for those at average risk, it may be expected that the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) guidelines suggesting screening start at 45 for Blacks combined with a recent …