A new systematic review reveals that colorectal cancer (CRC) is not declining equally across all Asian American communities. While national trends show a drop in CRC rates, certain subgroups—including Korean and Filipino Americans—are experiencing rising incidence, particularly in both the lowest and highest socioeconomic status (SES) categories.
The review analyzed 14 studies and found that Chinese Americans had a consistent decrease in CRC incidence across all SES levels, while Japanese Americans saw a decline only in the lowest SES group. In contrast, Korean and Filipino Americans showed significant increases in CRC rates, regardless of SES.
Despite these disparities, Asian Americans as a whole often appear to have better CRC outcomes than other racial groups. However, this broad categorization masks critical differences. “Grouping various Asian American ethnicities as a single monolithic ‘Asian’ category is misleading,” the authors wrote. They emphasized that cultural, genetic, and socioeconomic diversity within the Asian American population significantly affects cancer risk and outcomes.
The review also found that Asian Americans have lower CRC screening rates than white and Black Americans. Only about 50% of Asian individuals are up to date on colonoscopies, compared to 61% in other groups. Barriers include language, cultural stigma, lack of physician recommendation, and limited access to care.
The authors call for more targeted outreach and disaggregated data collection to better understand and address these disparities. “Preventative CRC screening within the API communities is essential,” they concluded.
