Strategies to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in moderate-risk population : a systematic review.

Abstract

Evidence from randomized intervention studies indicates that colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is effective in reducing mortality. Thus, this systematic review is aimed to evaluate the factors associated with the success of strategies that increased the adherence to CRC screening tests by medium-risk patients. We grouped each strategy in clusters according to its interventions. Two articles addressing screening by recommendation/education of medical professionals presented an increase of 12.4% and 2.2 times more chance of patients completing screening tests; three resorted to recommendation/education of non-medical health professionals or

assistant researchers, in which compliance went from 1% to 29% and 1.6 times more chance of following it through; four used rec- ommendation/education of trained members of the community, in which there were an increase from 6.6% to 26.4%; two provided

free FOBT kits available at post offices and pharmacies, in which the increase was of 29.8% to 30%; one sent pamphlets/invitations by mail or inviting patients by phone, in which growth varied from 1.1% to 13.7%; three educated the population via multimedia, which increased the rate to 14% or 15%; five used a mix of interventions, resulting in a growth from 1.7% to 76.9%. The rate increase in adherence to CRC screening tests relates to the guidance provided by a trained multidisciplinary team. Also, the patient-centered clinical method attends to the patient’s singularities and thereby uses the best screening methodology based on updated scientific evidence for each population. Moreover, sending personalized newsletters and strengthening contact with patients via phone call/ multimedia also increase success chances.