S638 Current Dismorphisms of Rural and Urban Colon Cancer Screenings

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer by incidence in the US. Although overall rates have declined there are notable disparities, with rural populations experiencing higher cancer incidence and mortality rates compared to urban areas. We aimed to examine how social factors in different areas affect CRC screening. Methods: The study analyzed colon cancer screening rates in Texas for residents aged 45–74 in 2021 using statewide data. Screenings were identified via Current Procedural Terminology and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes. Population estimates by age group and county were obtained from SEER, and counties were classified as urban (≥50,000) or rural (<50,000) based on the 2013 NCHS Urban-Rural Classification. Age-adjusted screening rates (AASRs) per 100,000 were calculated using the 2000 U.S. standard population. Confidence intervals were estimated using the standard error formula (AASR divided by the square root of the number of screenings), and differences between rural and urban areas were assessed by comparing 95% confidence intervals. Subgroup analyses were conducted by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Results: We included 7,080,602 residents, 841,312 (11.9%) lived in rural areas. A total of 494,437 CRC screenings were identified with 42,612 (8.6%) for rural residents and 451,825 (91.4%) for urban. The overall statewide AASR was 6071.5 (95% CI 6054.6 to 6088.4). The urban AASR 6297.0 (95% CI 6278.6 to 6315.3) was substantially greater than the rural AASR 4182.7 (95% CI 4143.0 to 4222.4). Out of 172 rural counties, 160 (93.0%) had AASR below the statewide AASR. The association of rural residence and AASR remained consistent within each of the examined subgroups. Within rural areas, women had higher AASR than men and Whites had substantially higher AASR compared to other races. The highest rate was measured for urban whites AASR 7039.1 (95% CI 7012.0 to 7066.2) while the lowest rate was for rural Native Americans AASR 471.8 (95% CI 308.3 to 635.2). Conclusion: There is a significant disparity in CRC screening rates between urban and rural populations in Texas, with rural areas showing lower screening rates. The findings emphasize the need for targeted efforts to improve screening access and rates in rural communities. Improving survival rates for CRC may be achieved through collaboration among healthcare providers, patients, and communities to increase awareness and early detection.