Research Finds Mailed Cancer Screening Kits Triple Early Detection Rates

**Colorectal cancer** remains a significant threat, with over 152,000 new cases expected this year and 53,000 deaths in the U.S alone. **Early detection** through screening is crucial, yet many patients, particularly those served by federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), do not utilize available screening options. **UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center** researchers conducted a study, published in JAMA Network Open, which demonstrated the effectiveness of mailing **at-home colorectal cancer screening kits** combined with coordinated follow-up. This targeted intervention tripled screening completion rates in underserved populations compared to usual care at FQHCs. These centers, often under-resourced, serve as vital safety-net providers, delivering care to one in eleven Americans. The study, known as **SCORE**, enrolled over 4,000 participants and found that **30% of intervention participants** completed a screening in six months, compared to 9.7% in the control group. **Follow-up for positive tests** was also higher in the intervention group, with 68.8% undergoing colonoscopy versus 44.4% in the usual care group. This indicates that **mailed FIT kits** might be a cost-effective solution to increase screening rates, making optimal use of limited healthcare resources.