Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening Practices in a Midwest Urban Safety-Net Healthcare System

Engaging primary care physicians is critical in the screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer at safety-net hospital systems

“…As another strategy to increase screening rates, urban safety-net hospitals utilize FIT as the initial screening tool for CRC due to its low cost, non-invasive nature, and ease of access [ 21 , 22 ]. However, the same study noted that FIT as an initial screening modality had poor compliance (46 %) and more than half (52 %) of patients with positive FIT did not follow up for colonoscopy [ 21 ]. A delay in colonoscopy >10 months after a positive FIT is associated with higher overall incidence of CRC and late stage CRC [ 23 , 24 ].…”