The association of cancer-preventive lifestyle with colonoscopy screening use in border Hispanic adults along the Texas-Mexico border

Paul Gerardo Yeh; Audrey C Choh; Susan P Fisher-Hoch; Joseph B McCormick; David R Lairson; Belinda M Reininger

doi:10.1007/s10552-024-01885-1

The association of cancer-preventive lifestyle with colonoscopy screening use in border Hispanic adults along the Texas-Mexico border

Cancer Causes Control. 2024 May 14. doi: 10.1007/s10552-024-01885-1. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Paul Gerardo Yeh¹, Audrey C Choh², Susan P Fisher-Hoch², Joseph B McCormick², David R Lairson³, Belinda M Reininger⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Management, Policy, and Community Health, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 1200 Pressler Street RAS E-311, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. [email protected].
² Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, Brownsville Regional Campus, Brownsville, TX, USA.
³ Department of Management, Policy, and Community Health, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 1200 Pressler Street RAS E-311, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
⁴ Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, Brownsville Regional Campus, Brownsville, TX, USA.

PMID: 38743343
DOI: 10.1007/s10552-024-01885-1

Abstract

Purpose: The relationship between engaging in two domains of cancer-preventive behaviors, lifestyle behaviors and colonoscopy screening, is unknown in Hispanic adults. Accordingly, the study examined the association between lifestyle and colonoscopy screening in Hispanic adults along the Texas-Mexico border, where there is suboptimal colorectal cancer prevention.

Methods: Lifestyle behavior adherence and compliance with colonoscopy screening schedules were assessed using 2013-2023 data from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohorta population-based sample of Hispanic adults living along the Texas-Mexico border. The 2018 World Cancer Research Fund scoring system characterized healthy lifestyle engagement. Multivariable logistic regression quantified the association between lifestyle behaviors and colonoscopy screening.

Results: Among 914 Hispanic adults, there was a mean adherence score of 2.5 out of 7 for recommended behaviors. Only 33.0% (95% CI 25.64-41.39%) were up-to-date with colonoscopy. Complete adherence to fruit and vegetable (AOR [adjusted odds ratio] 5.2, 95% CI 1.68-16.30; p = 0.004), fiber (AOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.06-4.37; p = 0.04), and ultra-processed foods (AOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.30-6.21; p = 0.01) consumption recommendations were associated with up-to-date colonoscopy screening. Having insurance versus being uninsured (AOR 10.8, 95% CI 3.83-30.62; p < 0.001) and having local medical care versus in Mexico (AOR 7.0, 95% CI 2.26-21.43; p < 0.001) were associated with up-to-date colonoscopy.

Conclusions: Adherence to dietary lifestyle recommendations was associated with being up-to-date with colonoscopy screenings. Those with poor dietary behavior are at risk for low-colonoscopy use. Improving lifestyle behaviors may complement colonoscopy promotion interventions. Healthcare accessibility influences up-to-date colonoscopy prevalence. Our findings can inform cancer prevention strategies for the Hispanic population.

Keywords: Border health; Colonoscopy screening; Hispanic cancer prevention; Lifestyle behavior.

Grants and funding

T32CA057712/UTHealth School of Public Health-NCI Cancer Control Research Training Program