Improving participation of detained men in organised screening of colorectal cancer in Toulon
Abstract In France, organised screening for colorectal cancer was set up in 2008. Participation rate was assessed in March 2014 at the prison of Toulon / La Farlède. On the 100 detained men aged 50-74 years old concerned by screening, only 3.9 % were screened. A project aiming at improving participation in screening while addressing specific difficulties related to prison settings (lack of privacy in cells, low socioeconomic and education status of the population, stronger exposition to risk factors for colorectal cancer) was launched in 2015 and has been yearly conducted since then. How to improve colorectal cancer screening in a prison setting? How to organise a sustainable screening program? What proximity guidance should be provided to foster participation? The program that was developed mainly consisted in awareness sessions and proximity guidance to testing. Among the 330 detained men targeted between 2015 and 2018, 165 men performed an immunologic test (57.9%) and 45 were excluded for medical reasons. Colonoscopy was performed for 10 of the 13 men with a positive result and lesions were detected for 9 men. Among them, one cancer, 6 high-risk polyps and 2 low-risk polyps were found. Those findings exceeded expected numbers. Despite a small population sample, data revealed the benefit of the project in comparison with other participation rates: only 33.5% in France and 29.3% in the Var department (estimates for 2016-17 by Santé Publique France). Furthermore, we achieved a participation rate compliant with European recommendations establishing 45% as a minimum target. The success of our program relied on the synergy between health prevention professionals screening organisers and prison medical staff. Strong involvement of each team constituted a real leverage for project to ensure effective proximity guidance for detained persons leading them to get screened. Key messages Awareness program adapted to prison improved participation in colorectal cancer organised screening. Proximity guidance helped to detect cancer and to improve medical care of detained persons.