What information should be included on a flyer to attract adults aged 50 and above, especially those with a family history of colon (colorectal) cancer or other risk factors, to undergo Fecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT) for early detection of colon cancer?

FIT Testing Flyer: Key Messages to Attract Adults 50+ for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Lead Message: Simple Home Test That Saves Lives

A simple, at-home stool test done once a year can catch colon cancer early when it's most treatable—no bowel prep, no diet restrictions, and no time off work required. 1

Core Messages for Your Flyer

Why FIT Testing Matters

• Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with approximately 49,000 deaths annually, but early detection dramatically improves survival 1
• FIT testing detects 75-100% of colon cancers when done annually, catching disease at stages when treatment is most effective 2
• Early-stage colon cancer has excellent cure rates with simple treatment options like local excision or polypectomy, compared to advanced disease requiring extensive surgery and chemotherapy 1

What Makes FIT Testing Easy

• No dietary restrictions required—unlike older stool tests, you can eat normally before collecting your sample 1
• No medication adjustments needed—continue taking aspirin, NSAIDs, and other medications without interruption 1
• Done at home on your schedule—collect one sample from a single bowel movement and mail it back in the provided kit 1
• Takes less than 5 minutes to complete the entire collection process 1
• No bowel preparation, no sedation, no time off work—unlike colonoscopy, FIT requires no preparation or recovery time 1

Who Should Get Tested

• All adults starting at age 50 years should begin annual FIT testing 1
• Those with family history of colon cancer are at higher risk and should definitely participate in screening 3
• Adults who have declined colonoscopy can use FIT as an excellent alternative screening method 2
• Uninsured or underinsured adults aged 50-64 benefit significantly from mailed FIT outreach programs, with participation rates reaching 40.7% 1, 4

Real-World Impact

• FIT testing increases screening participation by 21.5% compared to no outreach, making it one of the most effective population health interventions 4
• When FIT is positive, 10% of patients have cancer and 51% have precancerous polyps that can be removed before becoming cancer 5
• Annual testing is critical—doing the test every year maximizes cancer detection and prevention 1

What Happens If Your Test Is Positive

• A positive FIT requires colonoscopy within 3 months to examine the entire colon and remove any abnormal growths 6
• Most positive tests find treatable conditions—either early cancer or polyps that can be removed to prevent cancer 5
• Colonoscopy after positive FIT is covered by insurance as a diagnostic procedure, not screening 6

Common Barriers Addressed

"I don't have symptoms"

• Most early colon cancers cause no symptoms—that's exactly why screening is necessary 1
• Waiting for symptoms means waiting until cancer is advanced, when treatment is more difficult and survival is lower 1

"Colonoscopy sounds too difficult"

• FIT is the alternative—if you're not ready for colonoscopy, annual FIT testing provides excellent protection 1, 2
• FIT participation rates are 34-61% compared to only 25-26% for colonoscopy because it's so much easier 1

"I'm too old to worry about this"

• Screening is most beneficial for adults aged 50-75 years, and even adults 76-85 can benefit if they've never been screened 1
• The median age of colon cancer death is 68 years—screening in your 50s and 60s prevents these deaths 1

Critical Action Steps for Your Flyer

Bold, prominent call-to-action: "Ask your doctor for a FREE FIT kit today—one simple test, once a year, could save your life." 7, 4

Include These Practical Details

• Specify that the test is free or covered by insurance for adults 50+ 7, 4
• Provide a phone number or QR code to request a kit or schedule an appointment 7
• Emphasize annual testing—make clear this is a yearly commitment, not one-time screening 1
• State clearly: "If your test is positive, we will help you schedule a colonoscopy"—patients need to know the complete pathway 6, 5

Visual Elements That Work

• Use bilingual materials (English/Spanish) to reach Hispanic adults, who have lower screening rates 7
• Include images of the actual FIT kit so patients know what to expect 7
• Show the simple 3-step process: collect sample → mail kit → get results 1, 7

Avoid These Common Pitfalls

• Never suggest FIT is "just as good as colonoscopy"—they serve different purposes, with colonoscopy detecting more adenomas but FIT achieving higher participation 1
• Don't minimize the importance of follow-up colonoscopy if FIT is positive—52% of patients fail to complete colonoscopy, missing cancers and precancerous lesions 5
• Never use office-based digital rectal exam samples—FIT must use spontaneously passed stool collected at home 1, 3
• Don't target symptomatic patients—those with rectal bleeding, weight loss, or changed bowel habits need immediate colonoscopy, not FIT screening 2