It’s simple! Colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, canbe detected early, or even prevented, by using a simple, at home, non-invasive mail-in test called a fecal immunochemical test (FIT). The test, which can be done easily at home then mailed to a laboratory, is a proven evidence-based and effective way to screen more people for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Nine out of 10 cases of CRC can be treated successfully when found early, so the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors and Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, with the support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have created a new resource designed to help increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates – the Mailed FIT Guide.

The guide provides step-by-step instructions for planning and implementing a mailed FIT outreach program. Developed for use in diverse healthcare settings, the guide helps administrators and managers make informed decisions when reaching out to those who are age eligible for screening.

Using a mail-in test provides an option for people who encounter barriers that make it difficult to access other CRC screening tests. Mailed FIT outreach programs have consistently shown to improve rates of colorectal cancer screening, and mailed FIT outreach is more successful than in-clinic strategies.

We also created a companion document to help promote the Mailed FIT Guide. The document, Mailed Fit Dissemination Guide is filled with examples of tweets, Facebook, and website posts, and newsletter language that illustrate and advocate mailed FIT as a proven solution for increasing CRC screening rates.

Sharing the messages with partners and networks will help them recognize the benefits of implementing a mailed FIT program to help improve the health of populations within their communities.

For questions, contact Lorrie Graaf. 

Learn more about NACDD’s cancer prevention and control work.