Study Examines Factors Affecting Low Rates of Colorectal Screening Among Korean-Americans

"Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Underserved Korean-Americans in Los Angeles County," Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health: Among Korean-Americans ages 40 to 70 in Los Angeles County, Calif., 17% reported having a stool blood test within the last 12 months, or a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy in the past five years, according to the study by researchers at the University of California-Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine and the UCLA School of Public Health. The study, which analyzed survey results of 151 Korean-Americans in the county, found that 29% of respondents received a screening recommendation from a physician and that respondents who received physician recommendations were more likely to have screenings. Barriers to screening included lack of health insurance or funds to pay for screening, knowledge of testing sites, language barriers and fear of being a burden on family members (Jo et al, Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, April 2008).