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Best Way to Get Adults in Their 40s Screened for Colon Cancer

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Best Way to Get Adults in Their 40s Screened for Colon Cancer

Colon cancer screening is now recommended starting at age 45. But many people in their 40s are not getting tested. A new study looked at different ways to encourage screening in adults aged 45 to 49.

The study included over 20,000 patients at UCLA Health. Everyone was between 45 and 49 years old and had no high risk for colon cancer. People were randomly placed into four groups. Each group got a different type of outreach for screening.

One group was mailed a home test (called FIT) without having to ask. The other three groups had to choose between options like a colonoscopy or a FIT test. These groups got emails or messages asking them to pick a test.

The group that got the mailed FIT test had the highest screening rate—about 1 in 4 people followed through. The groups that had to choose had much lower screening rates. Only about 1 in 6 people in the dual-choice group (FIT or colonoscopy) went through with testing. Even fewer did in the other choice groups.

This shows that mailing a home test directly, without needing a decision first, works better. People are more likely to take the test if it’s easy and already at home.

If you’re 45 or older, screening for colon cancer can help find problems early—when they’re easier to treat. Ask your doctor about a FIT test or colonoscopy. And if a test comes in the mail, don’t wait—just take it.

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Dr. Harsh J Shah