Body Mass Index and Colorectal Cancer Screening in Maryland
Author Information
Author(s): Steinberger Eileen K, Menis Mikhail, Kozlovsky Bernard, Langenberg Pat, Zhan Min, Israel Ebenezer, Hopkins Annette, Dwyer Diane M, Groves Carmela
Primary Institution: University of Maryland School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Are overweight or obese adults aged 50 years and older less likely to be up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening than normal and underweight adults?
Conclusion
There is no statistically significant association between body mass index levels and up-to-date colorectal cancer screening among Marylanders aged 50 and older.
Supporting Evidence
- 64.9% of Marylanders aged 50 and older were up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening.
- Recommendation by a health care provider was strongly associated with up-to-date screening.
- Obese individuals had slightly lower odds of being up-to-date with screening, but this was not statistically significant.
Takeaway
The study found that being overweight or obese doesn't mean you're less likely to get screened for colon cancer, but many people still need to be encouraged to get screened.
Methodology
The study used data from the Maryland Cancer Survey 2002, which involved a random-digit-dial telephone survey of 3436 participants aged 50 and older.
Potential Biases
Potential recall bias and selection bias may affect the accuracy of the results.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported data, which may introduce recall bias, and the sample may not be representative of all Maryland residents due to selection bias.
Participant Demographics
78.9% were white, 62.4% were women, 56.3% were aged 50 to 64, and 56.8% were married or in a partnership.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.19
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 0.65–1.09
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