A significant number of people in Canada are missing timely screening tests for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers, according to a study published January 6 in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Researchers from the University of Alberta in Canada used self-reported data from the Canadian Community Health Survey from 2007 to 2016. They analyzed data for 99,820 people who were eligible for colorectal cancer screenings, 59,724 eligible for breast cancer screenings, and 46,767 eligible for cervical cancer screenings.
In all, 43% of eligible individuals did not have a timely colorectal screening test, 35% did not have timely mammography, and 25% did not have timely Pap smear screening tests, according to the findings.
The study highlights the disparities for cancer screenings and shows that more needs to be done to get patients to seek these recommended tests, according to the researchers.
