Validation of rule-based algorithms to determine colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screening status using electronic health record data from an urban healthcare system in New York City.

Although cancer screening has greatly reduced colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer morbidity and mortality over the last few decades, adherence to cancer screening guidelines remains inconsistent, particularly among certain demographic groups. This study aims to validate a rule-based algorithm to determine adherence to cancer screening. A novel screening algorithm was applied to electronic health record (EHR) from an urban healthcare system in New York City to automatically determine adherence to national cancer screening guidelines for patients deemed eligible for screening.