Editorial: Financial Incentives to Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening: Does it Make Cents?

Abstract

While colorectal cancer screening reduces colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, there is much room for improvement in screening adherence particularly among the uninsured and ethnic minorities. In this issue, Gupta et al. conducted a randomized controlled study to test the impact of a small financial incentive on screening adherence. Their negative study, taken in the context of prior studies and behavioral economics literature, leads us to conclude that it does not pay to add this small financial incentive to community outreach. Instead, we should invest in a systematic approach to screening, including patient navigation.