Eman Eltahlawy, MBBS, MS¹, Eileen Karen Steinberger, MD, MS², Carmela Groves, RN, MS³, Min Zhan, PhD², and Ebenezer Israel, MD, MPH². (1) Egyptian Smoking Prevention Research Institute, Egyptian Smoking Prevention Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt, (2) Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Suite 100 Howard Hall, 660 W. Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-767-0789, estein@epi.umaryland.edu, (3) Center for Cancer Surveillance and Control, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 201 West Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess if smokers continue to be a risk group with low rates of cancer screening in Maryland after adjusting for socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics. Methods : A population-based random digit dial computer-assisted telephone interview survey was conducted..We compared the differences in self-reported colon, breast, and prostate cancer screening between current smokers and current non-smokers (former and never smokers.) Logistic regression analysis was performed to control for potential confounders such as age, race, education, gender, and certain behavioral characteristics, such as, time since last check up and concern about cancer. Results : A total of 5040 persons 40 years of age or older were interviewed. Smokers had significantly lower rates for cancer screening compared to current non-smokers. These significant differences for cancer screenings persisted even after adjusting for potential confounders using logistic regression analysis: Colon: Wald - 11.490 Odds ratio - 0.662(0.521-0.840) p-value <0.001 Breast: Wald- 12.569 Odds ratio-0.492 (0.332-0.728) p-value< 0.001 Prostate: Wald –4.450 Odds ratio-0.680 (0.475-0.973) p-value < 0.035 Conclusions: Current smokers have lower rates of cancer screening as compared to ex-smokers and non-smokers even after adjusting for confounding variables. Healthcare providers need to identify smokers in their practices as a special risk group for lower rates of cancer screening and take steps to increase cancer screening among smokers.

Learning Objectives:

Following this presentation, observers will
• describe the smoking status of adults in Maryland, age 40 years and older
• determine whether smokers are being screening equally to non-smokers for colon, prostate, and breast cancer

Keywords: Smoking, Cancer Screening

Related Web page: www.fha.state.md.us/cancer/pdf/MCS_Report_2002-V3.pdf

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.