Testing for mismatch repair (MMR) and microsatellite instability (MSI) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients increased significantly from 2012 to 2021, but disparities in access persist. Factors influencing testing rates include cancer stage, hospital, patient sex, race, and insurance status. A study of 834,797 CRC patients found that 43.9% underwent MMR/MSI testing, with rates increasing from 22.7% to 71.5% over the study period. Variability in testing rates was observed across hospitals, with the best performing at 90% and the worst at 2%. Addressing disparities through universal testing protocols at all institutions can improve adherence to guidelines and reduce disparities in testing rates.
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