Table 5 Nonusers’ reasons for not using the FIT

Feelings of discomfort, disgust, or embarrassment

 The idea of doing this test involving my bowel movement makes me uncomfortable

 I feel disgusted by the idea of reaching into the toilet to get the stool sample

 It’s too messy to do this test

 I don’t like the idea of sending my bowel movement sample through the mail

 I am concerned about coming into contact with germs and bacteria

 I am embarrassed to put the FIT kit by the toilet, but then I keep forgetting to use it

CRC screening not necessary

 I think my chances of developing CRC are very low

 I feel fine, so why look for trouble

Fatalism or fear

 If I have colon cancer, I don’t want to know

 I think if I am meant to get colon cancer, I will get it no matter what I do

 I think that even if colon cancer is detected early, nothing can be done about it

Other

 I think it will be too hard for me to get the bowel movement sample and put it in the tube; I tried to scoop up a bit of the bowel movement and put it into the tube, but it was too hard to do

 I don’t want to have to worry until I get the results of the test

 I don’t want to have to pay for this test

 Procrastination (e.g., “I just kept putting it off”)

 I used the FIT kit to get the sample, but then forgot to put the envelope in the mail right away

 I don’t think that the FIT test is effective for finding cancer early

 Worried that I will need a follow-up colonoscopy and I don’t want to get one

 Have problems with my bowel movements (constipation, hemorrhoids)