Research Brief
Study Finds Colorectal Cancer Screening Intervention Had Similar Effects Across Race/Ethnicity at Federally Qualified Health Centers
Background: Racially and ethnically minoritized patients are underscreened for colorectal cancer, resulting in racial/ethnic disparities. This study examined an intervention consisting of a mailed fecal immunochemical test (FIT) to patients due for screening, plus patient navigation for positive tests, at two federally qualified health centers (FQHC) systems in North Carolina.
What They Found: In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial of 3,734 patients, the intervention increased colorectal cancer screening by 18.3 percentage points overall. The intervention effect was similar across Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White patients and did not differ significantly by race or ethnicity. Among patients with a positive FIT who required follow-up colonoscopy, the intervention's effect was also similar across racial groups. However, overall completion rates remained substantially lower for Black patients than White patients, even in the intervention arm.
Implications: Broad implementation in FQHCs among minoritized populations could improve CRC screening disparities.
Equity Evaluation of an Intervention to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening at Federally Qualified Health Centers
Corresponding author: Anisha P. Ganguly, MD, MPH, et a
Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, School
of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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The Annals of Family Medicine
26-May-2026