Timeliness of follow-up to a positive fecal immunochemical test among community health center patients

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Fecal testing, including fecal immunochemical testing (FIT), has been proven to reduce mortality from colorectal cancer. Such mortality reductions can only be achieved, however, if those with an abnormal test result receive follow-up colonoscopy. Rates of completion of follow-up colonoscopy are low, especially in community health centers, where many Latinos receive care. As part of the Strategies and Opportunities to STOP Colon Cancer in Priority Populations (STOP CRC) project, we examined rates of adherence to follow-up colonoscopy, time to colonoscopy completion, and characteristics of patients who complete a colonoscopy after an abnormal FIT result compared to those who do not.