Implementing a mailed stool sample screening program in clinics providing care for an underserved Hispanic...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cancer Prevention
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) disproportionately affects Hispanic populations in the US, who are screened at lower rates.
• Mailed fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) offer a cost-effective strategy to improve CRC screening in underserved communities.
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in border regions serve vulnerable populations with unique healthcare needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of introductory phone calls combined with mailed FIT kits on CRC screening completion.
• To assess the effectiveness of this intervention in Hispanic populations residing in a US-Mexico border county.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, pragmatic, two-arm intervention study was conducted.
• Participants received either a mailed FIT kit with a reminder call (usual care) or usual care preceded by an introductory phone call.
• The primary outcome measured was the percentage of patients who returned the completed FIT kits.

Main Results:

• An introductory phone call significantly increased the absolute rate of FIT kit returns by 4.5% (P = 0.003).
• Demographic data indicated that participants who returned FIT kits were often unemployed, had limited formal education, and reported poor health.
• The intervention demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in screening completion.

Conclusions:

• Adding an introductory phone call to a mailed FIT kit intervention is an effective strategy to enhance CRC screening completion.
• This approach shows promise for improving cancer screening rates in vulnerable Hispanic populations in border areas.
• Targeted outreach interventions are crucial for addressing health disparities in cancer screening.