Objectives: To examine the association between colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Methods: Data were derived from a sample of 26,704 persons aged 50 to 75 years from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2010. The HRQOL factor and CRC screenings factor were developed in the NHIS cancer file. By using the Andersen model, confirmatory factor analysis with a multiple indicators, multiple causes model comprised data analysis.
Results: CRC screening rates were negatively associated with HRQOL. Identifying oneself as an African American was associated with better HRQOL but lower cancer screening rates.
Conclusions: HRQOL may capture several confounding factors. Thus, CRC screening rates alone may not be a strong predictor of HRQOL in population-based studies.