Employees in sales occupations less likely to be screened for cancer

WASHINGTON: The smallest businesses make for the happiest and healthiest employees, finds a study.

According to employees, people, who work in organisations with fewer than 25 employees, are less likely to have been screened for cancers than people, who work in large organisations with more than 500 employees.

People in food service, construction, production and sales occupations were 13-26 per cent, 17-28 per cent and 9-30 per cent less likely to be up to date with cervical, breast and colorectal cancer screening, respectively, compared to healthcare professionals.

Differences largely disappear after adjusting for socio-economic factors and insurance.

Cancer screening patterns, according to occupation characteristics in the United States, are not well known, but could be used to help inform cancer control efforts.

Lead researcher Stacey Fedewa examined screening rates for cervical, breast and colorectal cancer by occupational characteristics in 2010, 2013 and 2015 using the National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS) among eligible U.S. workers.

The results indicated that cervical, breast and colorectal cancer screening prevalence among U.S. workers was 84.0 per cent, 68.9 per cent and 56.8 per cent, respectively.

Screening rates were lower among workers in small (< 25 employees) compared to large organisations (< 500 employees).

After adjusting for socio-economic factors and insurance status, most of the differences were eliminated.

The disparities in cancer screening by occupational characteristics were mostly attributed to lower socio-economic status and lack of insurance.

The findings underscore the need for innovative public health strategies to improve cancer screening in vulnerable populations.

The study appeared in the Preventive Medicine journal.