Factors Influencing the Choice Between Multi-Target Stool DNA and Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Alaska Native Peoples
The Alaska Tribal Health System is increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among Alaska Native (AN) peoples, who experience the highest CRC rate in the world. Through a clinical trial (NCT04336397), AN people living in rural/remote Alaska were offered either the previously unavailable multi-tar...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| author | Lauren A. Jeffries Christie A. Flanagan Lila J. Finney Rutten John B. Kisiel Diana G. Redwood |
| author_facet | Lauren A. Jeffries Christie A. Flanagan Lila J. Finney Rutten John B. Kisiel Diana G. Redwood |
| author_sort | Lauren A. Jeffries |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Alaska Tribal Health System is increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among Alaska Native (AN) peoples, who experience the highest CRC rate in the world. Through a clinical trial (NCT04336397), AN people living in rural/remote Alaska were offered either the previously unavailable multi-target stool DNA test (mt-sDNA; Cologuard<sup>®</sup>) or colonoscopy. From April 2022 to August 2024, 113 (59%) people who completed mt-sDNA testing and 51 (39%) who completed a colonoscopy procedure participated in a survey on factors influencing their screening test choice. The majority of mt-sDNA participants (79%) were aware of the colonoscopy option, while most colonoscopy participants (72%) reported being unaware of the mt-sDNA option. Key mt-sDNA preference themes included not having to travel, less time commitment, childcare and work responsibilities, physical limitations, greater convenience, and the test being less invasive and dangerous than a colonoscopy. In contrast, colonoscopy preference themes included wanting to adhere to screening recommendations, be proactive about preventative health, family history of cancer, awareness of the higher CRC risk among AN peoples, as well as the belief that colonoscopy is more reliable and accurate since it is performed by medical providers. These findings underscore the complex factors influencing CRC screening preferences among rural and remote AN people. Limited access to medical facilities, financial burdens, and personal commitments, along with personal factors, have a substantial bearing on the screening decision-making process. Recognizing and addressing these multifaceted influences can help CRC screening programs better meet community member needs and preferences, ultimately improving screening rates and colorectal health outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6b5d70bf3a9f412b9b5c768f69a2ca98 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj-art-6b5d70bf3a9f412b9b5c768f69a2ca982025-01-24T13:38:52ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-01-0115112010.3390/life15010120Factors Influencing the Choice Between Multi-Target Stool DNA and Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Alaska Native PeoplesLauren A. Jeffries0Christie A. Flanagan1Lila J. Finney Rutten2John B. Kisiel3Diana G. Redwood4Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, 3900 Ambassador Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508, USAAlaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, 3900 Ambassador Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508, USAMayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USAMayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USAAlaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, 3900 Ambassador Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508, USAThe Alaska Tribal Health System is increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among Alaska Native (AN) peoples, who experience the highest CRC rate in the world. Through a clinical trial (NCT04336397), AN people living in rural/remote Alaska were offered either the previously unavailable multi-target stool DNA test (mt-sDNA; Cologuard<sup>®</sup>) or colonoscopy. From April 2022 to August 2024, 113 (59%) people who completed mt-sDNA testing and 51 (39%) who completed a colonoscopy procedure participated in a survey on factors influencing their screening test choice. The majority of mt-sDNA participants (79%) were aware of the colonoscopy option, while most colonoscopy participants (72%) reported being unaware of the mt-sDNA option. Key mt-sDNA preference themes included not having to travel, less time commitment, childcare and work responsibilities, physical limitations, greater convenience, and the test being less invasive and dangerous than a colonoscopy. In contrast, colonoscopy preference themes included wanting to adhere to screening recommendations, be proactive about preventative health, family history of cancer, awareness of the higher CRC risk among AN peoples, as well as the belief that colonoscopy is more reliable and accurate since it is performed by medical providers. These findings underscore the complex factors influencing CRC screening preferences among rural and remote AN people. Limited access to medical facilities, financial burdens, and personal commitments, along with personal factors, have a substantial bearing on the screening decision-making process. Recognizing and addressing these multifaceted influences can help CRC screening programs better meet community member needs and preferences, ultimately improving screening rates and colorectal health outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/1/120Alaska Nativecancer screeningcolorectal cancerhealth carescreening barrierscolorectal neoplasms/prevention and control |
| spellingShingle | Lauren A. Jeffries Christie A. Flanagan Lila J. Finney Rutten John B. Kisiel Diana G. Redwood Factors Influencing the Choice Between Multi-Target Stool DNA and Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Alaska Native Peoples Life Alaska Native cancer screening colorectal cancer health care screening barriers colorectal neoplasms/prevention and control |
| title | Factors Influencing the Choice Between Multi-Target Stool DNA and Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Alaska Native Peoples |
| title_full | Factors Influencing the Choice Between Multi-Target Stool DNA and Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Alaska Native Peoples |
| title_fullStr | Factors Influencing the Choice Between Multi-Target Stool DNA and Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Alaska Native Peoples |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors Influencing the Choice Between Multi-Target Stool DNA and Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Alaska Native Peoples |
| title_short | Factors Influencing the Choice Between Multi-Target Stool DNA and Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Alaska Native Peoples |
| title_sort | factors influencing the choice between multi target stool dna and colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening among alaska native peoples |
| topic | Alaska Native cancer screening colorectal cancer health care screening barriers colorectal neoplasms/prevention and control |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/1/120 |
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