FIT intervention boosts colorectal cancer screening across racial/ethnic groups

Background: Racially and ethnically minoritized patients are underscreened for colorectal cancer, resulting in racial/ethnic disparities. This study examined an intervention consisting of a mailed fecal immunochemical test (FIT) to patients due for screening, plus patient navigation for positive tests, at two federally qualified health centers (FQHC) systems in North Carolina. 

What they found: In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial of 3,734 patients, the intervention increased colorectal cancer screening by 18.3 percentage points overall. The intervention effect was similar across Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White patients and did not differ significantly by race or ethnicity. Among patients with a positive FIT who required follow-up colonoscopy, the intervention's effect was also similar across racial groups. However, overall completion rates remained substantially lower for Black patients than White patients, even in the intervention arm.

Implications: Broad implementation in FQHCs among minoritized populations could improve CRC screening disparities.