US State Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Rates

In this study, the investigators aimed to quantify disparities in CRC rates between Louisiana (representing Southern states) and New Jersey (representing Northeastern states) if differences in risk factors, screening, and stage-specific CRC survival were eliminated.

The Microsimulation Screening Analysis Colon microsimulation model estimated age-adjusted CRC incidence and mortality rates in Louisiana (between 1995 and 2009) under four assumptions: that residents in both states had the same smoking and obesity prevalence;  CRC screening rates; stage-specific CRC relative survival ; and that the previous three assumptions were true.

Results showed the CRC incidence rate in Louisiana decreased by 3.5% when it had the same risk factors as New Jersey, and by 15.2% when it had the same screening rate as New Jersey.

If Louisiana had New Jersey’s risk factors, screening, and survival rates, the CRC mortality rate would be reduced by 3.0%, 10.8%, and 17.4%, respectively.

The modeled rates per 100,000 individuals in Louisiana had a greater reduction than the rates observed in New Jersey for both CRC incidence and mortality rates (116.4 vs. 130.0 and 44.7 vs. 55.8, respectively).

The study suggests that the differences in poor outcomes between Southern states and Northern states could be reduced if Southern states could achieve the same levels of screening, survival, and risk factors as those of Northern states