Real-World Adherence to Multi-Target Stool DNA Testing for Colorectal Cancer Among Asian Americans.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Asian Americans exhibit lower colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates compared to other racial/ethnic groups.
• Early detection through screening significantly improves CRC survival rates.
• Understanding adherence to novel screening methods is crucial for reducing CRC burden in underserved populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine adherence to first-time multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA) testing among Asian American patients.
• To identify sociodemographic and payer-related factors associated with mt-sDNA testing adherence in this population.
• To inform targeted strategies for improving CRC screening uptake among Asian Americans.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of linked Komodo Research Data and Exact Sciences Laboratories databases.
• Inclusion of Asian American patients aged 45 and older, first-time mt-sDNA users (2017-2023), with continuous insurance.
• Descriptive statistics and logistic regression to analyze adherence and associated factors.

Main Results:

• Overall adherence to mt-sDNA testing was 70.9% among 336,288 Asian American patients.
• Adherence varied significantly by payer type, with lower rates for Medicaid (60.7%) vs. Medicare (72.2%).
• Higher adherence observed in patients seeing gastroenterologists (81.6%) and receiving full digital outreach (72.8%).

Conclusions:

• First-time mt-sDNA testing adherence is high among Asian Americans, but significant disparities persist.
• Payer type and sociodemographic factors influence adherence, necessitating tailored interventions.
• Targeted outreach strategies are essential to overcome barriers and enhance CRC screening in the Asian American community.