Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Community Health Setting

Patient-Centered Outreach to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Community Health Setting

This randomized controlled pilot study at the Health Annex, Family Practice & Counseling Network (FPCN), a community clinic in Southwest Philadelphia, aimed at providing data on the feasibility of a mailed FIT approach to CRC screening in a community health setting, and how patients respond to text messaging and behavioral economic engagement incentives.

This is a single-center RCT at the Family Practice & Counseling Network (FPCN), a community clinic in Southwest Philadelphia with 320 eligible subjects between the ages of 50-74 randomized to two study arms:

1. text messaging outreach (text)
2. text messaging outreach with lottery for 1/5 chance to win a financial incentive (text + lottery).

Findings will provide data on the feasibility of this mailed FIT approach in a community health setting, and how patients respond to text messaging and behavioral economic engagement incentives.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Between 50 and 74 years old
2. Has active medical insurance
3. Has had had at least one visit at Health Annex in the prior 12 months (at time of chart review)
4. Due for CRC screening (no colonoscopy in last 10 years, sigmoidoscopy in last 5 years, or stool testing in last 1 year)
5. Asymptomatic for CRC

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Has had prior colonoscopy within 10 years, sigmoidoscopy within 5 years, and FOBT/FIT within twelve months of the chart review (we will exclude patients who self-report undergoing any of the above procedures)
2. Has a history of CRC
3. Has a history of other GI cancer
4. Has history of confirmed Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) (e.g. Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis)
5. Has a history of colon polyps
6. Has had a colectomy
7. Has a first-degree relative that has been diagnosed with CRC
8. Has been diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome (i.e. HNPCC)
9. Has been diagnosed with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP).
10. Has iron deficiency anemia
11. Has recent history of lower GI bleeding
12. Has metastatic (Stage IV) blood or solid tumor cancer
13. Has end stage renal disease
14. Has had congestive heart failure
15. Has dementia
16. Has liver cirrhosis
17. Has any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, excludes the patient from participating in this study
18. Does not use a mobile phone enabled to send and receive text messages