A new Ohio State University study shows that an at-home colon cancer screening test could reduce the risk of colorectal cancer death and may be as effective as a colonoscopy.
The study involved researchers at OSU’s Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital, the Richard J. Solove Research Institute and Kaiser Permanente.
Researchers evaluated data from nearly 11,000 patients who underwent at-home FIT (fecal immunochemical testing) among Kaiser Permanente’s members in northern and southern California between 2002 and 2017. Patients were between the ages of 52 and 85. The study was published in Java Network Open.
"We found that using this test, at least getting one of these tests, reduces the risk of dying from colorectal cancer by about 33%, which is huge,” said Dr. Chyke Doubeni, senior author of the study. “But more importantly, we've found similar results, effectiveness across racial groups we looked at, including Black people, Asian people, white and Hispanic people."
Doubeni says getting the at-home test is only one step in preventing colon cancer.
“The most important step after that is to make sure I get a colonoscopy if it's positive," said Doubeni. “And so that doesn't happen well across all groups, because of social circumstances and other barriers that affect the way we use health care."
Researchers say only about 60% of Americans between the ages of 45 and 75 are up to date with screenings. Doubeni pointed out that Black people are 20% more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer and 40% more likely to die of the disease, compared to non-Hispanic white patients. People in the Appalachian region also have disproportionately higher rates of death from colorectal cancer.
"We know that at home tests makes it easier, more convenient for people to do, and quite frankly, it may be easier than getting a colonoscopy, because you don't need a bowel prep,” said Doubeni. “You don't have to change the medications you take, the diet you eat."
Doubeni says, if needed, a follow-up colonoscopy most often is covered by health insurance.
