UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

This in-depth report describes cancer screening in California based on data from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS 2001), the largest state-level health survey in the nation. The report examines screening rates for cervical, breast, colorectal and prostate cancers by race and ethnicity, income, insurance coverage, usual source of care, and English proficiency. It provides local-level estimates of screening rates for California counties and county groups. The report also makes several recommendations including the promotion of screening among immigrant communities, education about the importance of cancer screening in the absence of any symptoms or problems, and support for exemplary screening programs such as those administered by the California Department of Health Services' Cancer Detection Section.