Aim To examine the adherence rate to surveillance guidelines after curative resection of colorectal cancer (CRC) and the impact of demographic factors. Methods Data was collected retrospectively including demographics, stage at diagnosis, and adherence to surveillance guidelines as recommended by the US Multi-Society Task Force (USMSTF) guidelines, for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who underwent curative surgical resection between 2005 and 2014 in a tertiary academic medical center. Results A total of 124 patients were included (Male /female, 56.5%/ 43.5%), African American 109 (87.9%), and 70 patients (56.5%) had Medicare/Medicaid insurance. Overall, Appropriate clinical evaluation twice per year for 3 years following surgery was completed in 78 (63%) of patients. A total of 56 (45%) had carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels checked twice a year for 3 years. Surveillance colonoscopy 1 year postoperatively occurred in 64 (51.6%), and 37 (29.8%) had a second colonoscopy 3 years postoperatively. Abdomen/pelvis CT scan was obtained in 90 (72.5%) at 1 year post-operatively. In the entire cohort, strict adherence to post-recession surveillance only occurred in 46 (37.1%). There was no correlation between adherence to surveillance and gender (p=0.184), race (p=0.118), or insurance type (p=0.51). Conclusion Adherence to surveillance after curative resection of CRC was inadequate regardless of socioeconomic, medical insurance, or race. Measures should be taken to identify barriers and improve compliance with guidelines.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

This study was not funded.

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Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

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