Compliance with colorectal cancer screening in a high-risk occupational group.

A Detroit-area union offers an early detection colorectal cancer screening program consistent with that recommended by the American Cancer Society. Analyses compared men who have complied with the American Cancer Society recommendations with men who have not so complied. Older men, nonsmokers, and woodworkers were most likely to participate in all screening examinations. Primary reasons for nonparticipation were the belief that the examination was unnecessary, anxiety/affective concerns; and time/motivation problems. Particularly important to the success of such programs is a sensitive health education component to address personal concerns related to the procedure, and also the dissemination of information about the efficacy of the examination for early detection of colorectal cancer.