Direct Mailing of Fecal Occult Blood Tests to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
This program used direct mailings of fecal occult blood test (FOBT) kits to increase colorectal cancer screening. Colorectal cancer screening using FOBT and other techniques reduces the risk of death from colorectal cancer, but the screening rate in the general population is low. Non-invasive FOBT screening kits were mailed to the intervention group of residents aged 50 and older, selected randomly from the state driver's license and identification card database. The kit was sent with a a letter emphasizing the importance of screening, a prepaid envelope, and follow-up forms to allow results to be sent to the participant's primary care provider. A subset of participants were mailed reminders to complete kits after one month and two months. A telephone reminder was given after three months if necessary. Questionnaires were sent to participants at baseline (before FOBT kits were mailed) and at one year for followup.
Goal / Mission
The goal of this program was to increase colorectal cancer screening using direct mailings of fecal occult blood test (FOBT) kits for noninvasive colon cancer screening.
Impact
Direct mailing of FOBT kits resulted in an increase in self-reported colon cancer screening adherence.
Results / Accomplishments
Through the program, 1,450 individuals were sent a questionnaire about colorectal cancer screening. Using a randomized controlled study, a control group receiving only the questionnaire was compared to a group receiving FOBT kits by mail and a group receiving FOBT kits and reminders. At baseline, self-reported adherence to FOBT guidelines was 21.5% and overall adherence to any colorectal cancer screening test guidelines was 55.8%. After one year, the change in self-reported FOBT adherence was 1.5% for the control group, 16.9% for the FOBT direct mail group, and 23.2% for the FOBT direct mail with reminders group. The one-year rate changes for self-reported adherence to any colorectal cancer screening test were 7.8% for the control group, 13.2% for the FOBT direct mail group, and 14.1% for the FOBT direct mail with reminders group.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota School of Public Health
Primary Contact
Timothy Church
Division of Environmental and Occupational Health
University of Minnesota School of Public Health
MMC807, 420 Delaware St., SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 626-0900
trc@cccs.umn.edu
http://enhs.umn.edu/
Division of Environmental and Occupational Health
University of Minnesota School of Public Health
MMC807, 420 Delaware St., SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 626-0900
trc@cccs.umn.edu
http://enhs.umn.edu/
Topics
Health / Cancer
Health / Prevention & Safety
Health / Prevention & Safety
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota School of Public Health
Source
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Date of publication
May 2004
Date of implementation
2000
Location
Wright County, MN
For more details
Target Audience
Adults