Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Chinese Americans

Abstract This study examined knowledge and practices regarding screening for colorectal cancer among 312 male and 332 female Chinese Americans in Chicago's Chinatown. A Chinese translation and cultural adaptation of the Cancer Control Supplement Questionnaire from the National Health Interview Survey was used to interview the respondents, who ranged in age from 40 to 69 years. Approximately 85% of the respondents had never been screened with the fecal occult blood test (FOBT), compared with 70% of the general population-far below the 50% target set by the Healthy People 2000 program. The majority of respondents had never heard of the digital rectal examination (DRE), and approximately 20% of respondents had never had one. Fewer than half the respondents knew about the FOBT and thus had never had one, and only a third were able to identify at least one warning sign of cancer. Multiple logistic regression analyses identified educational level and knowledge of the warning signs as the significant factors influencing knowledge about DRE and FOBT. Education alone was associated with use of DRE, and age alone was associated with use of FOBT. The majority of respondents lacked a regular source of health care; thus, other sources of health information (e.g., newspapers, magazines, television, community centers) need to be supported and strengthened.