Effect of Patient-Directed Messaging on Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is underused in the US. Tailored message interventions have shown benefit for increasing screening uptake of mammography and Papanicolaou testing, but their role in CRC screening is less clear. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a tailored message telephone intervention prior to scheduling of a screening or surveillance colonoscopy and its effect on CRC screening completion rates. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized clinical trial was conducted from July 2017 through August 2018 at the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS), an urban academic medical center. Participants were asymptomatic patients aged 50 to 75 years who were eligible for CRC screening or surveillance, had been referred for colonoscopy, and did not have a scheduled colonoscopy appointment. Data analysis was conducted from January to September 2019. Interventions: Patients underwent block randomization in a 1:1:1 ratio to 1 of 3 study arms. Participants in the usual care group were contacted via a mailed letter and instructed to call to schedule a colonoscopy. In the generic message group, participants were contacted by telephone, completed an assessment, and received a uniform, nontailored message encouraging colonoscopy scheduling. Participants in the tailored message group were contacted by telephone, completed an assessment, and received a tailored message encouraging colonoscopy scheduling based on their identified assessment cohort. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was colonoscopy completion rate within 120 days of enrollment. The secondary outcome was colonoscopy scheduling rate appointment within 120 days of enrollment. Results: A total of 600 participants (median [IQR] age, 56 [51-63] years; 373 women [62.2%]) were enrolled, including 200 participants randomized to usual care, 200 participants randomized to the generic message, and 200 participants randomized to the tailored message. The total sample included 12 Asian participants (2.0%), 324 Black participants (54.0%), and 227 White participants (37.8%), and 9 participants (1.5%) were of Latino or Hispanic ethnicity. Colonoscopy completion was significantly higher for both the tailored message group (69 participants [34.5%]) and the generic message group (64 participants [32.0%]) compared with the usual care group (37 participants [18.5%]) (P < .001 and P = .002, respectively). Scheduling rates were also significantly higher in both groups, with 106 participants (53.0%) in the tailored message group and 105 participants (52.5%) in the generic message group scheduling appointments, compared with 54 participants (27.0%) in the usual care arm (P < .001 for both). Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial among individuals whose CRC screening was not up to date, both a tailored message intervention and a generic message intervention were significantly more effective at increasing colonoscopy scheduling and completion rates compared with usual care. These findings suggest that individualized health communications can increase individual motivation to obtain CRC screening. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03310892.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Navigation for the Underserved: Experience of an Urban Program.

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Although colorectal cancer screenings are effective and recommended by all clinical practice guidelines, only 65.7% of adults ages 50 to 75 years are screened. Colorectal cancer screening is disproportionately underutilized in inner city populations. In 2011, the University of Pennsylvania Health System created a navigation program to specifically address poor colorectal cancer screening rates and increase access to colorectal cancer screening colonoscopies for patients in the underserved areas of West, South, and Southwest Philadelphia. We directed focus on issues surrounding barriers of screening so that we could best leverage our resources and impact the greatest number of patients. The program was designed to target patients who were either due for, never scheduled, or did not keep previously scheduled colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy appointments, or who were referred by providers concerned that the patients would not keep appointments or would misunderstand preprocedural guidelines. The program strives to improve colorectal health by providing free education and screening navigation through a navigator who assists patients from the first phone call to completion of the colonoscopy. This is accomplished by implementing an effective screening program while providing one-on-one service with a cost-effective navigator reaching out to patients who are nonadherent to colorectal cancer screening. Barriers included not having a companion to escort and transport the patient home from the procedure, poor awareness, fear of the procedure or sedation, limited funds to purchase preparation materials, inability to read or comprehend preparation instructions, and hardship in being contacted or scheduling appointments.