With Medicaid patients less likely to be screened, it is no surprise that this population tends to have more advanced cancer at the time of diagnosis. Barely more than half of primary care physicians screened this demographic appropriately for colon, cervical, or breast cancer. Patient non-compliance can’t explain this, as the data came directly from the office notes. Neither than insurance coverage, since these screening tests are covered by Medicaid.
This is not an acceptable finding, and this population segment needs outreach to ensure adequate cancer screening.
