Veterans' continued participation in an annual fecal immunochemical test mailing program for colorectal cancer screening

Objective: the objective of this study was to determine what proportion of veterans previously screened for colorectal cancer (crc) using fecal immunochemical testing (fit) would be willing to undergo a second round of fit screening. methods: patients in the iowa city veterans affairs health care system (<65 years old,asymptomatic,average risk,overdue for crc screening) who completed a mailed fit (april 2011 to may 2012) were contacted 1 year later by telephone to collect demographic and recent crc screening information,and were offered a second mailed fit if eligible. results: of 204 veterans who completed initial fit testing,159 were eligible to participate in a second round of fit screening; 132 (83%) participated in the telephone survey,and 126 (79%) completed a second annual fit,with 10 (8%) individuals testing positive. the majority of participants (67%) reported being more likely to take a yearly fit than a colonoscopy every 10 years. participants overwhelmingly reported that the fit was easy to use and convenient (89%),and they were likely to complete a mailed fit each year (97%). conclusions: those willing to take a mailed fit seem satisfied with this method and willing to do it annually. population-based or provider-based fit mailing programs have the potential to increase crc screening in overdue populations. © 2015,american board of family medicine. all rights reserved.