Compliance with Guaiac FOBT Falls Off Rapidly

Randomized trial data comparing fecal occult blood test (FOBT), colonoscopy, or a choice between FOBT and colonoscopy showed that the overall highest screening rates were obtained by the choice. In a follow-up to this same trial, conducted in community health centers in San Francisco, patient adherence to assigned screening strategy at 3 years was examined. Although special efforts were made to gain adherence in the first round, no special efforts were made to increase adherence for a second or third round of guaiac FOBT.

Compliance with annual three-card, guaiac FOBT fell off rapidly. For example, 231 of 344 individuals completed the first round, but only 94 of the initial 231 completed the second round, and only 49 of the 94 compliant with…