Date of Thesis

2016

Description

This paper explores the relationship between race/ethnicity, with a specific emphasis on Hispanic subgroups, and U.S. nativity on the uptake of colorectal cancer screening in the United States. Control variables related to colorectal cancer screening and cancer development are included in the study, as well. Data is drawn from the National Health Interview Survey in the years 2008 and 2010 ¿ 2014, and descriptive statistics and binomial logistic regressions are used for analysis. It is found that in general, Hispanic subgroups are less likely than non-Hispanic whites to be screened for colorectal cancer, while non-Hispanic blacks are more likely than non-Hispanic whites to be screened. Additionally, individuals born outside of the United States are less likely to receive screening for colorectal cancer than native-born people. Reasons for the reduced colorectal cancer screening uptake for racial/ethnic minorities and foreign-born individuals include discrepancies in income, health insurance coverage, and access to regular healthcare, as compared to non-Hispanic white individuals born in the United States. If colorectal cancer screening uptake is to be improved for racial/ethnic minority groups and people born outside of the United States, then cost and cultural/language barriers to accessing healthcare must be alleviated, and educational programs must be instituted to increase awareness as to the importance of colorectal cancer screening.

Keywords

race/ethnicity, hispanics, immigration, colorectal cancer, cancer screening

Access Type

Honors Thesis (Bucknell Access Only)

Degree Type

Bachelor of Arts

Major

Sociology

First Advisor

T. Elizabeth Durden

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