Abstract
Background. Colorectal cancer screenings are underused in HIV-infected patients, but reasons for underuse have not been examined. Methods. Using a standardized questionnaire, HIV-infected patients aged !50 years were asked if they had a colorectal cancer screening and what factors influenced their decisions. Results. Among 55 patients (53 [96%] male; mean age 57 years [range: 51-71]); 35 (64%) ever received colorectal cancer screenings, 2 (4%) were scheduled for screening, 16 (29%) had never been screened, and 2 (4%) provided unusable results. Patients screened were more likely to remember discussing colorectal cancer (P < .01) and colorectal cancer screenings (P < .01) with a medical practitioner. Conclusions. In this population of HIV-infected patients >50 year olds, a significant minority of patients did not undergo the colorectal cancer screening. Discussions about the colorectal cancer screenings and colorectal cancer risk appear to have a significant impact on a patient's decision to be screened.