To evaluate a corporate welfare–based integrative model aimed at improving awareness of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk factors, expanding participation in FIT-based screening among less commonly involved subjects; to assess the prevalence of personal and familial CRC risk profiles.

Healthcare professionals from the Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit of AUSL-IRCCS Reggio Emilia delivered structured educational sessions to employees of a company in the Lower Reggio Emilia area. The intervention focused on CRC risk factors and the importance of early detection. Participants were invited to complete a standardized questionnaire collecting personal and family medical history to identify CRC and pancreatic cancer risk factors. Individuals reporting a first- or second-degree family history of CRC and/or pancreatic cancer underwent a follow-up telephone interview to further refine their risk profile and evaluate potential hereditary cancer syndromes. FIT-based CRC screening was then offered to all employees who completed the questionnaire, with specific attention to those aged >40 years and to younger individuals with positive family history.

Of approximately 800 employees, 713 (≈90%) attended the educational sessions. Among them, 374 (52.5%; 88% male; mean age 43.7 ± 9.9 years, range 21–70) provided presonal information consent and completed the questionnaire.

A family history of CRC was reported by 44/374 (11.8%), while 15/374 (4%) reported a family history of pancreatic cancer. Telephone consultations suggested a possible BRCA1 mutation in 2 individuals.

Overall, 280/374 (75%) agreed to undergo FIT screening: 88/128 participants <40 years and 192/246 ≥40 years.FIT kits were returned by 204 employees (54.5% of questionnaire respondents; 28.6% of all participants in the educational sessions). Among them, 37/88 (<40 years) completed the test, with a positivity rate of 5.4% (2/37). In the ≥40-year group, 167/192 completed the test, with a positivity rate of 0.6% (1/167). All three FIT-positive participants underwent colonoscopy, which resulted negative in all cases.

This corporate welfare–based intervention proved effective in increasing awareness and promoting CRC screening uptake among a working-age population typically underrepresented in conventional public health screening programs. The high participation rates in both educational activities and risk assessment demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of this integrative model. The approach enabled the identification of individuals with increased familial risk, including suspected hereditary cancer predisposition. Collaboration between public healthcare providers and private companies may represent a valuable strategy to enhance preventive efforts, expand participation in population-based CRC screening, and support early detection in groups that are otherwise difficult to reach.