A workplace colorectal cancer screening program in firefighters: lessons learned

Abstract

Background: Although colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is widely recommended, screening rates remain low. Workplace interventions have the potential to increase rates of screening.

Aims: To evaluate the impact of a workplace CRC screening program targeting active duty and retired firefighters.

Methods: A letter, a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit and a survey were mailed to all active duty and retired San Francisco firefighters aged 40 and older during 2008-09. The survey included questions about CRC risk factors and prior CRC screening tests. The primary outcome was return of the completed FIT.

Results: FIT kits and surveys were sent to 1203 firefighters. In total, 445 individuals (37%) completed the survey, and 400 (33%) completed the FIT. Forty-five per cent of respondents had had a stool test for blood at some time, although few (8%) had had it within the past year. Thirty-six per cent of respondents said they had had a sigmoidoscopy at some time, although only 15% had had it within the past 5 years and 37% within the past 10 years. Among those aged 50 and older, 59% had had a test for colon cancer at some time.

Conclusions: A workplace intervention can increase CRC screening rates in firefighters. Future studies should focus on the long-term sustainability of this type of program.

Keywords: Cancer; colorectal cancer screening; firefighters; workplace health promotion..