Effectiveness of Promoting Colorectal Cancer Screening During Annual Workplace Health Monitoring

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common and leading cause of cancer in the United States with a screening rate of 72%. Purposes of the project were to educate environmental investigator workers about CRC screening tools, encourage testing, and measure behavioral effects one year later. Workplace health monitoring programs present an opportunity to educate and encourage eligible workers to seek testing. During a 2023 annual health monitoring program, 552 environmental health workers were examined. Based on CRC risk factors, 74 were encouraged to discuss screening with a primary care provider (PCP), educated about various screening tools, tests’ sensitivity, and costs. 54% received a reminder letter encouraging a conversation with a PCP about screening. In 2024, 62 of the 74 eligible workers returned for exams and were asked if they discussed screening with a PCP, if screening occurred and, if screened, what method was chosen. 39 (63%) had the discussion and 25 (40%) completed screening: 14 via colonoscopy and 11 via Cologuard. Of the 41 workers who received reminder letters 17 (41.5%) completed testing. Encouraging workers to seek CRC screening was moderately effective: 40% (n=25) who received a recommendation from a PCP to obtain screening did so while 41.5% who received a follow up letter completed screening. Keywords: colorectal, cancer, screening, workplace, health monitoring