Fecal immunological blood test is more appealing than the guaiac-based test for colorectal cancer screening.

BACKGROUND

The reasons for participation in fecal immunological testing (FIT) of subjects who were previously non-respondents to guaiac fecal occult blood testing (g-FOBT) have not been assessed.

POPULATION AND METHODS

We aimed to determine the reasons for current compliance with FIT among non-responders to g-FOBT, termed "converts‿, in a French district. A questionnaire was returned by 170 converts aged from 55 to 75 years (response rate 75.2% after exclusions).

RESULTS

The major barriers to participation in screening with g-FOBT were test-related: the test was perceived as complicated (24%) and it required three consecutive stools (28%). Among the test-related major determinants of FIT compliance was the perception that the test was less complicated than previous test (30%) and that a unique stool sample was required (29%). Among the non-test related major determinants of FIT compliance were the perception that the general practitioner was more convincing (31%) and the feeling to be more concerned because of age (21%). The reasons for compliance among converts did not differ according to age, sex, and rural or urban residence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that the simplicity of FIT and the endorsement of practitioners were both major motivations for FIT compliance among non-respondents in at least two previous consecutive campaigns.