Colorectal Cancer Screening Interventions and Family History

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is pivotal in reducing morbidity and mortality, particularly among individuals with a family history. First-degree relatives (FDRs) of CRC patients face substantially increased lifetime risk, prompting guidelines that recommend earlier and more frequent surveillance compared with average-risk populations. Interventions range from opportunistic physician recommendations and mailed invitations to tailored messaging and digital health technologies. Colonoscopy remains the gold standard, offering direct visualisation and polypectomy, while non-invasive tests such as the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) provide accessible alternatives. Despite stratified guidance based on familial risk, screening uptake among high-risk groups often falls short of targets. Contributing factors include limited awareness of personal risk, intrafamilial communication gaps, logistical barriers and concerns about invasiveness. Recent efforts focus on user-centred design, behavioural coaching and novel digital agents to personalise risk communication, streamline appointment processes and sustain adherence. By bridging the gap between guideline recommendations and real-world practice, these strategies hold global significance for early detection and equitable access to CRC prevention.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Interventions and Family History publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in colorectal cancer screening interventions and family history across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

First-degree relative (FDR): Direct family member (parent, sibling or child) sharing close genetic and environmental factors that confer increased colorectal cancer risk.

Colonoscopy: Endoscopic procedure to inspect the entire colon and rectum for polyps or malignancy, enabling diagnosis, biopsy and polypectomy.

Faecal immunochemical test (FIT): Non-invasive stool assay that detects hidden blood as an indicator of early colorectal neoplasia.

mHealth: Use of mobile devices or applications to deliver health information, reminders or interventions to support screening adherence.

Virtual health assistant (VHA): Computer-generated agent designed to simulate human interaction for education or behavioural support in healthcare programmes.

References

1. Creating an mHealth App for Colorectal Cancer Screening: User-Centered Design Approach. JMIR Human Factors (2019).
2. Examining intrafamilial communication of colorectal cancer risk status to family members and kin responses to colonoscopy: a qualitative study. Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice (2019).
3. CanPrevent: a telephone-delivered intervention to reduce multiple behavioural risk factors for colorectal cancer. BMC Cancer (2012).
4. Key changes to improve social presence of a virtual health assistant promoting colorectal cancer screening informed by a technology acceptance model. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making (2021).
5. Psychological distance: a qualitative study of screening barriers among first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients. BMC Public Health (2021).