Increasing attendance at colorectal cancer screening: testing the efficacy of a mailed, psychoeducational intervention in a community sample of older adults.
This article describes a trial of a psychoeducational intervention designed to modify negative attitudes toward flexible sigmoidoscopy screening and thereby increase screening attendance. The intervention materials addressed the multiple barriers shown to be associated with participation in earlier studies. Adults ages 55-64 (N = 2,966), in a "harder-to-reach" group were randomized either to receive an intervention brochure or to a standard invitation group. Attitudes and expectations were assessed by questionnaire, and attendance at the clinic was recorded. Compared with controls, the intervention group had less negative attitudes, anticipated a more positive experience, and had a 3.6% higher level of attendance. These results indicate that psychoeducational interventions can provide an effective means of modifying attitudes and increasing rates of screening attendance.
Wardle
Jane
J
Cancer Research UK, Health Behavior Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 2-16 Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, England, UK. . j.wardle@ucl.ac.uk
Williamson
Sara
S
McCaffery
Kirsten
K
Sutton
Stephen
S
Taylor
Tamara
T
Edwards
Robert
R
Atkin
Wendy
W
D001294:Attitude to Health; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003144:Communication Barriers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy