Tailored message interventions versus typical messages for increasing participation in colorectal cancer screening among a non-adherent population: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of a tailored message intervention compared with a non-tailored message intervention for increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates among a non-adherent population, in a community-based client reminder program.MethodsAfter a baseline survey for psychological segmentation, 2140 eligible individuals were randomly assigned either to a group with a tailored matched-message condition (N = 356), a group with a non-tailored unmatched-message condition (N = 355), or to two control groups, one using a typical message with a professional design (N = 717) and one without a professional design (N = 712). The main outcome measure was attendance rates in a community-organized CRC screening program within five months of receiving a print reminder.ResultsThere was a significant difference in fecal occult blood test (FOBT) attendance rates at follow-up assessments between the tailored matched-message condition (14.0 %) and the control (9.9 %; OR = 1.48, p = 0.026), while there was no significant difference between the unmatched-message condition (11.0 %) and the control (OR = 1.12, p = 0.558), and between the matched-message condition and the unmatched-message condition (OR = 1.32, p = 0.219). The cost of a one-person increase in FOBT screening was 3,740 JPY for the tailored matched-message condition, while it was 2,747 JPY for the control.ConclusionsA tailored-message intervention for segmented individuals designed to increase CRC screening rates in a community-based client reminder program was significantly effective compared to a usual reminder, but not more effective than an unmatched message in a randomized controlled trial, and was not sufficiently effective to highlight its value from a cost perspective. Therefore, the tailored intervention including target segmentation needs to be improved for future implementation in a CRC screening program for a non-adherent population.Trial registrationUMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000004384. Date of Registration: March 2011.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3069-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effectiveness of Mass and Small Media Campaigns to Improve Cancer Awareness and Screening Rates in Asia: A Systematic Review

“…The majority of studies focused on breast cancer, 17,20,28-30,33,34,36,37,39,41 followed by cervical cancer, 20-23,31,32,35,41,42 colorectal cancer, 25-27 oral cancer, 38,40 and gastric cancer. 27 The countries in which the studies were conducted included Japan, 20,21,26,28,41 Malaysia, 22,23,40,42 Korea, 27,37,39 Taiwan, 17,31,32 Israel, 25,36 Lebanon, 19,29 Singapore, 30,33 India, 34 Turkey, 35 and Iran 38 (Fig 2).…”

“…37 A study focusing on colorectal and gastric cancer targeted men only, 27 and four studies (either targeting colorectal or oral cancer) included both men and women. 25,26,38,40 The age range of included participants differed among studies and the type of cancer addressed (ie, cervical cancer awareness studies generally targeted women 20 years of age and older, breast cancer awareness studies targeted those 30 years of age and older, and some included women 50 years of age and older (with one exception 37 ). Colorectal and gastric cancer studies included participants between 46 and 74 years of age, and oral cancer studies did not use age as an exclusion criterion.…”

National data analysis and systematic review for human resources for cervical cancer screening in Japan: Who should take Pap smears for cervical cancer screening?

“…Since the announcement of the cancer control plan to increase the participation rate in cancer screening programs by the Japanese government [6], various promotion strategies including sending invitation letters and conducting awareness campaigns have been attempted [9,19]. Although these strategies have been implemented nationwide, they had sadly not achieved the goal of increasing the participation rate to date.…”

Cancer Prevention Using Machine Learning, Nudge Theory and Social Impact Bond

“…The mortality rate of CRC is the third highest of all cancers for men (42.9 ppm) and the highest for women (34.6 ppm) [1]. The CRC screening program, which uses the fecal occult blood test (FOBT), is a recognized effective approach, and is, thus, reinforced by the public sector to reduce incidence and mortality rates [2]. Despite the expected effectiveness of the preventive approach, CRC screening is yet to be fully implemented, and fails to be recognized as important by the recipients, with uptake levels remaining at low levels.…”

“…"; and (iii) "can belief be affected by an educational campaign?" This approach was also applied to a precedent study conducted by the city of Hachioji in 2016 [2]. It revealed that a message for loss-avoidance based on prospect theory was more effective than a normal one.…”