“Whilst you are here…” Acceptability of providing advice about screening and early detection of other cancers as part of the breast cancer screening programme

Abstract

Objectives This research aimed to assess women's willingness to receive advice about cervical and bowel cancer screening participation and advice on cancer symptom awareness when attending breast cancer screening. Methods Women (n = 322) aged 60–64 years, living in the United Kingdom, who had previously taken part in breast cancer screening were recruited via a market research panel. They completed an online survey assessing willingness to receive advice, the potential impact of advice on breast screening participation, prospective acceptability and preferences for mode and timing of advice. Results Most women would be willing to receive information about cervical (86%) and bowel cancer screening (90%) and early symptoms of other cancers (92%) at a breast cancer screening appointment. Those who were not up to date with cervical cancer screening were less willing. Prospective acceptability was high for all three forms of advice and was associated with willingness to receive advice. Women would prefer to receive advice through a leaflet (41%) or discussion with the mammographer (30%) either before the appointment (27%), at the appointment (44%) or with their results (22%). Conclusions While there is high willingness and high acceptability towards using breast cancer screening as a teachable moment for advice about prevention and early detection of other cancers, some women find it unacceptable and this may reduce their likelihood of attending a breast screening appointment. Patient or Public Contribution This study focused on gaining women's insights into potential future initiatives to encourage screening and early diagnosis of cancer. Members of the public were also involved in piloting the questionnaire.

“It's cancer screening after all”. Barriers to cervical and colorectal cancer screening and attitudes to promotion of self-sampling kits upon attendance for breast cancer screening

“…It has been suggested that attending BC screening could be 'a teachable moment' where participants are more easily motivated to also receive advice about other screening programmes. 16,42 The findings in our study, however, do not explicitly support the underlying notion of advice-driven motivation. Our participants already attached high value to screening, but rather asked for a cue to make the offer salient again, e.g.…”

“… 4 To support awareness about all cancer screening programs and increase the joint participation rate among eligible women, it has been suggested that attendance for one kind of screening could be used as leverage for promotion of other screening offers. 14 – 16 In particular, BC screening attendance offers a unique opportunity to provide self-sampling kits to eliminate embarrassment and pain, which is particularly relevant in CC screening, and to increase awareness, which may be particularly relevant in CRC screening as suggested above.…”

Three birds with one stone: a protocol for a randomised intervention study to increase participation in cervical and colorectal cancer screening among women attending breast cancer screening

“…Furthermore, a UK study revealed that women are potentially interested in this approach. 12 However, it has yet to be explored whether this holds potential to increase participation in the two screening programmes with the lowest participation rates.…”

“…Thus, attending breast cancer screening provides an opportunity for personal communication with the women regarding their screening status in CRC and CCU programmes. Furthermore, a UK study revealed that women are potentially interested in this approach 12. However, it has yet to be explored whether this holds potential to increase participation in the two screening programmes with the lowest participation rates.…”

A qualitative exploration of women's perspectives and acceptability of including new cancer awareness information in all‐clear breast or cervical screening results

“…Evidence suggests that this contact with the NHS could be perceived as a ‘teachable moment’ (Lawson & Flock, 2009 ; McBride et al, 2003 ) to increase women's knowledge and awareness of the symptoms of less common cancers. For example, Scott et al ( 2021 ) explored the acceptability of using breast cancer screening participation as a ‘teachable moment’ to advise women on cancer symptoms and cervical and bowel screening participation and found this was acceptable to the majority of their study participants.…”