Study shows colorectal cancer screenings by mail increase screening rates

A FIT test (fecal immunochemical test) is a non-invasive way for individuals to screen for colorectal cancer without any meal or drug preparation.² It is a stool-based test that individuals can complete in the comfort of their own home thanks to the availability of mail order colon cancer tests (FITs).

After the individual completes the collection (instructions are included in the collection kit), they simply ship the specimen back to the lab in the prepaid, pre-addressed package included with the materials. At the lab, the specimen is processed to detect hidden blood in the stool.²

 The confidential results of the colon test by mail will be available online within 1 week after the individual returns the completed collection. They will also receive results in the mail within 3 weeks of returning the kit. If the FIT result is positive, a colonoscopy may be needed to investigate the cause of the bleeding.

If individuals are using the FIT colon cancer test by mail to screen for colorectal cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends that everyone aged 45-75 complete one each year.² While colon testing by mail is a convenient, effective method for many individuals, doctors may recommend more frequent colonoscopies for those with increased risk of colon cancer. If an individual has a personal history of colon cancer, a parent or sibling who has had colon cancer, or a history of inflammatory bowel disease, they should talk to a doctor about colon cancer risk.³

Currently, only 63% of those who should be screened for colorectal cancer are up-to-date with their screenings, and that rate is even lower for low-income populations.⁴ Mail order FIT tests, like InSure^® ONE™, are often used by employers and health plans to help individuals stay on top of their colorectal cancer screenings, thus reducing the number of preventable deaths from colorectal cancer. These yearly programs can be implemented in 2 ways: either the program can require individuals to order a kit to receive one (“by request” programs), or a colon test kit can be mailed directly to each participant’s home (“direct mail” programs).

Recently, the University of North Carolina (UNC) Comprehensive Cancer Center, in collaboration with the Mecklenburg County Health Department, released the results of a study they conducted on the effectiveness of these two types of programs. For the study, over 2,100 individuals who were not up-to-date on colorectal cancer screening were contacted.⁴ Some individuals received a FIT kit in the mail, while others only received a reminder postcard with instructions on how to arrange a screening.

Of those who received a FIT kit in the mail, 21% completed the screening. However, only 12% of the individuals who just received the reminder postcard, completed the screening.⁴ Based on these findings, the UNC Comprehensive Cancer Center study shows that removing barriers to participation is essential, especially in regards to colorectal cancer screenings. By mailing colon cancer screening kits directly to participants’ doors, without the need to place orders, more individuals are likely to complete their yearly screening and be engaged with their health. And for employers and health plans, having more members of their population being engaged in their health leads to lower medical costs and more lives saved.