Cancer Screening Test Use — United States, 2015

TLDR

Healthy People 2020 seeks to increase breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening, with progress monitored by National Health Interview Survey data against national targets. The study urges stronger evidence‑based interventions and targeted outreach to achieve HP2020 screening goals and reduce disparities. Authors evaluate screening test use by analyzing 2015 National Health Interview Survey data relative to Healthy People 2020 targets. 2015 NHIS analysis shows screening rates remain well below HP2020 targets for breast and cervical cancer, with only colorectal screening improving since 2000, and persistent disparities across race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and health‑care access.

Abstract

Healthy People 2020 (HP2020) includes objectives to increase screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer (1) as recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).* Progress toward meeting these objectives is monitored by measuring cancer screening test use against national targets using data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) (1). Analysis of 2015 NHIS data indicated that screening test use remains substantially below HP2020 targets for selected cancer screening tests. Although colorectal cancer screening test use increased from 2000 to 2015, no improvements in test use were observed for breast and cervical cancer screening. Disparities exist in screening test use by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and health care access indicators. Increased measures to implement evidence-based interventions and conduct targeted outreach are needed if the HP2020 targets for cancer screening are to be achieved and the disparities in screening test use are to be reduced.