A workplace colorectal cancer screening program in firefighters: lessons learned.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health Interventions
• Cancer Prevention

Background:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is recommended but underutilized.
• Workplace interventions offer a promising strategy to enhance screening adherence.
• Firefighters represent a population that may benefit from targeted screening programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a workplace-based CRC screening program.
• The program specifically targeted active duty and retired firefighters.
• The study aimed to evaluate the impact on screening rates.

Main Methods:

• A mailed intervention included a letter, fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit, and survey.
• The study population comprised San Francisco firefighters aged 40+ (2008-09).
• Primary outcome measured was the return rate of completed FIT kits.

Main Results:

• Out of 1203 firefighters mailed kits, 400 (33%) returned a completed FIT.
• Only 45% of respondents had ever undergone a stool test for blood, with 8% in the past year.
• Screening rates for sigmoidoscopy and colon cancer tests were also reported, with varying recency.

Conclusions:

• Workplace interventions can successfully increase CRC screening rates within the firefighter community.
• The findings support the utility of employer-sponsored health initiatives for cancer prevention.
• Further research is recommended to explore the long-term sustainability of such workplace programs.