In-home colon cancer tests may be more convenient, cheaper, and less invasive than colonoscopies. However, a new study finds that more than 10% of these tests cannot be processed, mostly due to patient error. One author emphasizes that understanding and mitigating barriers to successful colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is critical for improving CRC outcomes.
Researchers reviewed in-home immunochemical fecal tests submitted by nearly 57,000 people between 2010 and 2019. They found that about one in ten samples could not be processed in the lab. The majority of rejections were due to inadequate specimen collection, followed by incomplete labeling, the age of the specimen, and broken or leaking containers. Patients who received their test kit by mail, rather than from a doctor, were at a greater risk of failure.
According to the study's authors, these findings could have implications for other at-home tests, such as fecal DNA tests for colon cancer and future home testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV). They suggest that increased patient education and timely follow-up when issues arise can help reduce failure rates and improve patient care through early colon cancer interventions.
