A Randomized Trial Comparing the Effect of Two Phone-Based Interventions on Colorectal Cancer Screening Adherence (original) (raw)

The diffusion of colorectal cancer screening into clinical and public health practice has contributed to the trend of small decreases in colorectal cancer-related mortality over the past several decades (3); screening, however, remains suboptimal for minorities and older individuals (4). Experts in the U.S. recommend regular colorectal cancer screening starting at age 50 for those at average risk. Screening options include annual fecal occult blood testing (stool blood test); flexible sigmoidoscopy (sigmoidoscopy) every 5 years; sigmoidoscopy every 5 years with annual stool blood test; and colonoscopy every 10 years (2, 5). Screening guidelines in other countries differ slightly from the U.S. and many offer national population-based screening programs. For example, in Australia, stool blood test is strongly recommended at least once every two years; and screening sigmoidoscopy is advised every five years from age 50 (6). In the United Kingdom, England and Wales have chosen to implement biennial stool blood test for all those aged between 60 and 69 years by 2010. Scotland is currently screening those aged between 50 and 74 years. National populationbased programs also exist in Finland, France, Italy, and Poland, and regional based screening in advance of a national program is underway in Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, and Spain. In Germany, annual stool blood testing is offered for those between 50 and 54 years and colonoscopy for those between 55 and 65 years (7).