HHS HealthBeat (March 8, 2012)

Missing the screen

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Screening tests can find some kinds of cancer early when treatment is more effective. But a look at national survey data for 2010 indicates a good deal of missed opportunities.

At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researcher Mary White:

“Not all Americans are getting the recommended screenings for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers. And disparities continue to persist for certain populations.”  (8 seconds)

Asians had the lowest rates for getting the screenings.  But scientists at the CDC and the National Cancer Institute say the screening rates in general indicate that the country has a long way to go to meet federal Healthy People screening targets for 2020.

The findings were in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: March 9, 2012