Racial disparities and trends in use of colorectal procedures among Tennessee elderly (1996-2000).

Background: Blacks are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of colorectal cancer (CRC), and have poorer survival than Whites. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is usually curable when diagnosed at an early stage.

Objectives: We compare the use of CRC tests for screening between Whites and Blacks and compare the use of CRC tests for either screening or diagnosis and further check the test results for a diagnosis of CRC.

Data: The data we use are from physician claims files provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (1996-2000) for a closed cohort of all Tennesseans eligible for Medicare in 1996, age > or = 6.

Results: Half as many Blacks as Whites were screened with fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy. Significantly fewer Blacks had any colorectal procedures, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and/ or barium enema, for screening or diagnosis; however, the test results show that more Blacks were diagnosed with CRC than Whites. The use of CRC tests is low regardless of race. Only 24% of beneficiaries used at least one of the four procedures during the five years. During the five years, FOBT and barium enema use decreased significantly for both Blacks and Whites, while colonoscopy use increased significantly. Sigmoidoscopy use was highest in 1998, which corresponds to the change of Medicare coverage policy in 1998.

Conclusions: Removal of financial barriers to screening alone has failed to substantially improve the use of colorectal procedures. Lack of vigilance and lack of access to good quality of care contribute to the fact that Blacks are more likely to be diagnosed at a late stage of CRC than Whites.