Recently, the University of North Carolina (UNC) Comprehensive Cancer Center, in collaboration with the Mecklenburg County Health Department, released the results of a study they conducted on the effectiveness of these two types of programs. For the study, over 2,100 individuals who were not up-to-date on colorectal cancer screening were contacted.4 Some individuals received a FIT kit in the mail, while others only received a reminder postcard with instructions on how to arrange a screening.
Of those who received a FIT kit in the mail, 21% completed the screening. However, only 12% of the individuals who just received the reminder postcard, completed the screening.4 Based on these findings, the UNC Comprehensive Cancer Center study shows that removing barriers to participation is essential, especially in regards to colorectal cancer screenings. By mailing colon cancer screening kits directly to participants’ doors, without the need to place orders, more individuals are likely to complete their yearly screening and be engaged with their health. And for employers and health plans, having more members of their population being engaged in their health leads to lower medical costs and more lives saved.