Patients were 20.29% more likely to complete colorectal cancer screening through at-home testing compared to standard care, according to a study published Nov. 25 in JAMA Network Open.
Researchers from Chapel Hill, N.C.-based University of North Carolina, Portland-based Oregon Health & Science University, Greenville, N.C.-based East Carolina University and the American Cancer Society enrolled 4,002 participants between July 6, 2020, and Sept. 17, 2021, in a randomized study to observe colorectal screening rates.
Here are five takeaways from the study:
- Participants were ages 50-75, had an average risk of colorectal cancer and were not up to date with current colorectal screening recommendations.
- Half of the study participants were mailed screening outreach materials, including an at-home fecal immunochemical testing kit with instructions and return postage, in addition to receiving standard care. The other half of participants received only standard care.
- Of participants who were mailed at-home testing kits, 30% completed screening. Of participants who received standard care, 9.7% completed screening.
- Of those who received a positive result through at-home testing, 68.8% completed a follow-up colonoscopy within six months. Of those who received standard care, 44.4% completed a follow-up colonoscopy.
- Advanced colorectal neoplasia was detected in 1.4% of participants who received an at-home test and in 0.7% of patients who received standard care.
Read the full study here.