Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening for colorectal cancer: uptake in a population-based pilot programme.
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.
Robb
Kathryn
K
Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK. k.robb@ucl.ac.uk
Power
Emily
E
Kralj-Hans
Ines
I
Edwards
Robert
R
Vance
Maggie
M
Atkin
Wendy
W
Wardle
Jane
J
D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy / Q000379:methods*