A large national study found that patients with a positive multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA) test were significantly more likely to complete the recommended follow-up colonoscopy than those with a positive FIT/FOBT test. Follow-up colonoscopy was completed by 77.1% of mt-sDNA patients compared with 45.1% of FIT/FOBT patients, with faster follow-up across every racial and ethnic group. The study also found that patients screened with mt-sDNA were nearly four times more likely to complete a follow-up colonoscopy after adjusting for demographic and insurance differences.
While disparities in follow-up persisted across racial and ethnic groups, the findings suggest that screening modality and patient navigation may play an important role in improving completion of the colorectal cancer screening pathway. The authors note that the built-in navigation and education associated with mt-sDNA testing may contribute to higher adherence, highlighting opportunities to strengthen follow-up care and reduce screening disparities across diverse patient populations.