The researchers identified 997 patients who were sorted into three groups: fecal occult blood testing, colonoscopy screening or a choice between fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy. They investigated whether these participants adhered to their assigned screening strategy over the subsequent three years, with adherence defined as completion of annual fecal occult blood testing or the completion of one colonoscopy.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. For all three groups, completion of any screening test decreased over time, which researchers say suggest the importance of patient navigation.
2. Those assigned to annual fecal occult blood testing complied at a significantly lower rate than the other two groups; this group complied at a rate of 14 percent; the colonoscopy group complied at a rate of 38 percent and the choice group complied at a rate of 42 percent.
3. Aside from screening type, other characteristics that were associated with colorectal cancer screening compliance included Chinese language, homosexuality, being married and having a non-nurse practitioner primary care provider.
The researchers conclude: “Patient navigation is crucial to achieving adherence to CRC screening, and FOBT is especially vulnerable because of the need for annual testing.”
More articles on gastroenterology and endoscopy:
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