Sweden study: At-home cancer screening reduces mortality by 43%

A study conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Umeå University in Sweden has found that participating in at-home colorectal cancer screening can reduce the risk of death from the disease by up to 43%.

Published in JAMA Network Open, the research analyzed up to 14 years of data from the Stockholm–Gotland screening program, following approximately 376,000 individuals. The study distinguished between those who simply received an invitation to the program—who saw a 26% reduction in mortality—and those who actively completed the stool tests, who saw the higher 43% reduction.

In Sweden, the screening program targets individuals aged 60 to 74, offering tests every two years. Researchers noted a significant behavioral gap, observing that approximately one-third of invited participants do not return their samples, even though the kits are provided free of charge. This lack of participation represents a major lost opportunity for mortality reduction.