title: Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening for colorectal cancer: uptake in a population-based pilot programme.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was is to examine uptake of population-based, flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) screening delivered by nurses in a socioeconomically and ethnically diverse area of London, England.
  
  
  METHODS
  All adults aged 58 and 59 years registered at 34 general practices in North London (n = 2260) were mailed an invitation to attend FS screening at the local hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 45% (1024/2260) accepted the invitation and attended, 5% (114/2260) accepted the invitation but failed to attend, 5% (111/2260) accepted the invitation but were unable to attend within the time-frame of the pilot study, 7% (165/2260) declined the offer, 27% (602/2260) did not respond, and 11% (244/2260) were ineligible or did not receive the invitation. Among those eligible to be screened, the uptake rate was 51% (1024/2016). Uptake did not differ by gender, but people living in the most affluent quintile of areas had a substantially higher uptake rate (63%) than those living in the most deprived quintile (38%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uptake of FS screening delivered as a population-based programme was over 50% among the eligible population in a socioeconomically and ethnically diverse area of London. Disparities in uptake should be addressed to avoid exacerbating health inequalities.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK. k.robb@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Robb
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Power
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kralj-Hans
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Maggie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vance
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Atkin
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wardle
mesh_terms: D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy / Q000379:methods*