Self-rated health is prospectively associated with uptake of screening for the early detection of colorectal cancer, not vice versa

Self-Assessment of Health among the Citizens of Serbia in the Transition Period

Background

The aim of the research was to compare the differences between the self-assessment of the health in the latest National Health Surveys research and in the one before that.

Methods

We used the database of the latest National Health Survey in the Republic of Serbia (2013) and of the one before that (2006), as cross-sectional studies (n=29485). Logistic regression was used to predict the relationship between self-assessment of health and independent predictors.

Results

Health condition of the interviewees improved according to their self-assessment. With aging respondents who poorly assessed their health; women assessed their health 1.7 and 1.6 times poorer in the latest research and in the one before that respectively. The odds ratio in patients diagnosed with some disease in the previous 12 months ranged from 2.15 (1.85 - 2.51) to 4.03 (3.22 - 5.05) in the latest research. The strongest predictor was sick leave in the past 12 months with 95% CI = 3.19 (1.87-5.44) in the latest research and 95% CI = 2.27 (1.67-3.08) in the one before that.

Conclusion

There was an improvement of the health condition of individuals. Female interviewees, less educated, unemployed, the ones who have some disease and who were on a sick leave rated their health as bad.

Association Between Social Engagement and Cancer Screening Utilization in a Community-Dwelling Chinese American Older Population

Objectives: This study aims to examine the association between social engagement and cancer screening utilization among a Chinese American older population. Method: Data were drawn from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE). In total, 3,157 Chinese older adults enrolled in this study. Cancer screening utilization was assessed by asking whether participants had utilized cancer screenings. Social engagement was measured with 16 questions. Results: After controlling for potential confounders, a higher level of social engagement was associated with increased utilization in blood stool test (OR 1.03, [1.02, 1.05]), colonoscopy (OR 1.02, [1.01, 1.03]), mammography (OR 1.06, [1.05, 1.08]), Pap test (OR 1.04, [1.03, 1.06]), and prostate specific antigen (PSA) test (OR 1.03, [1.01, 1.05]). Compared with those with low levels of social engagement, older adults with high levels of social engagement were more likely to have utilized a blood stool test (OR 1.85, [1.46, 2.35]), a colonoscopy (OR 1.37, [1.09, 1.72]), a mammography (OR 3.05, [2.25, 4.14]), and a Pap test (OR 1.99, [1.49, 2.66]), but not more likely to have utilized a PSA test (OR 1.40, [0.97, 2.03]). Conclusion: This study underscores the association between active social engagement and increased utilization of cancer screening among a Chinese American older population. Improving social engagement could be helpful in promoting cancer screening utilization.

Perceived Life Expectancy Is Associated with Colorectal Cancer Screening in England

Background

Cancer screening is a behavior that represents investment in future health. Such investment may depend on how much ‘future’ a person expects.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prospective association between perceived personal life expectancy and participation in fecal occult blood test screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) in a national program.

Methods

Data were from interviews with 3975 men and women in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) within the eligible age range for the national screening program (60 to 74 years). Perceived life expectancy was indexed as the individual’s estimate of their chance of living another 10–15 years (exact time varied by age), assessed in 2008/2009. Participation in CRC screening from 2010 to 2012/2013 was assessed in 2012/2013. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between perceived life expectancy and screening participation, adjusted for numeracy and known mortality risk factors.

Results

Overall, 71% of respondents (2817/3975) reported completing at least one fecal occult blood test (FOBt) during the follow-up. Screening uptake was 76% (1272/1683) among those who estimated their 10–15-year life expectancy as 75–100%, compared with 52% (126/243) among those who estimated theirs as 0–25% (adjusted OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.29–2.34).

Conclusions

A longer perceived life expectancy is associated with greater likelihood of participating in CRC screening in England. However, half of people with a low perceived life expectancy still participated in screening. Given that CRC screening is recommended for adults with a remaining life expectancy of ≥10 years, future research should investigate how to communicate the aims of screening more effectively.