Promoting Equity for Cancer Screening and Follow-up

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, and screening has been shown to reduce mortality from CRC. Screening is underutilized in the United States, particularly in some communities such as Blacks/African Americans, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, and rural populations, contributing to disparities in mortality.

For CRC screening, mt-sDNA testing is one of several tests that are recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). As part of a quality improvement program at our institution, those who are due for CRC screening are identified using a validated electronic algorithm and a kit is mailed directly to each patient. Our intervention is initiated on non-respondents to the mailed mt-sDNA outreach by testing the use of a technology-enabled reminder system.

Thirty days after being mailed a mt-sDNA kit, patients who have not completed the screening will be randomized to receive a reminder to complete the mt-sDNA screening by one of three mechanisms (time 0):

1. Automated reminder using the EHR patient portal messaging system.
2. Automated reminder using a customized interactive voice response (IVR) system
3. Personalized reminder phone calls from the clinical team

This will allow for an empirical test of processes that can be employed to improve delivery of CRC screening and reduce preventable deaths in populations that are underserved with evidence-based interventions.