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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Cancer Screening: Client Reminders – Colorectal Cancer

About this resource:

Systematic Review

Source: The Guide to Community Preventive Services

Last Reviewed: July 2010

Workgroups: Cancer Workgroup, Access to Health Services Workgroup

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends using client reminders to increase screening for colorectal cancer with fecal occult blood testing. These reminders are messages that tell people they’re due for screening, and they can be delivered in writing — letter, postcard, or email — or by phone. CPSTF noted that these reminders can be enhanced by:

  • Follow-up reminders 
  • Additional information on the benefits of screening and ways to overcome barriers 
  • Help for scheduling appointments

CPSTF found  insufficient evidence to determine whether client reminders increase screening with colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy.

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Objectives related to this resource (1)

Increase the proportion of adults who get screened for colorectal cancer — C‑07
LHI label
Baseline only

Suggested Citation

1.

Guide to Community Preventive Services. (2010). Cancer Screening: Client Reminders – Colorectal Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/cancer-screening-client-reminders-colorectal-cancer