Colorectal Cancer News

Mailed Reminders Improve Screening Rate

Two recent studies show that patients who receive reminders from their doctor encouraging them to have a colon cancer screening are more likely to get a screened.

Reminders were distributed in two different ways. In the first study, participants received a single email from their doctor that contained a link to a website that assessed their risk for colorectal cancer. In the second study, reminders were distributed through the postal system. Participants received a reminder letter, and a brochure and a DVD about colorectal cancer and the screening process.

While the rates did not increase dramatically when compared to the control group (8.3 percent to 0.2 percent in the first study; 9.9 percent to 3.2 percent in the second study), they did show that screening rates in participants who received the reminders did increase. Researchers claim that this data shows that it would be worth using simple mailings as the beginning of a low-cost screening promotion for health systems.

References:
Predit, Robert. Online, Mail Reminders Improve Colon Cancer Screening Rates. Health News. 2010 December 13.

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