Individual invitation letters lead to significant increase in attendance for screening colonoscopies: Results of a pilot study in Northern Hesse, Germany:

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Germany. Screening colonoscopies are considered an effective tool for early detection and prevention of CRC and are recommended in Germany for citizens over the age of 55. To increase the participation rate for screening colonoscopies, an invitation procedure was initiated in parts of Germany for patients between the ages of 55 and 75 who had never undergone a screening colonoscopy before.MethodsWe examined the number of participating patients before, during, and after the invitation procedure and compared the number of the participating patients who received a cover letter with the participating patients from the control group. Additionally, we classified the findings of the colonoscopies including CRC, advanced adenomas, and polyps.ResultsDuring the invitation period, the participation rate of the invitation group increased from 220 patients to 531 patients compared to 1256 to 1693 in the control group. The increase was significantly ...