title: Anticipated regret to increase uptake of colorectal cancer screening in Scotland (ARTICS): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the UK. Screening is key to early detection. The Scottish programme of colorectal cancer screening is running successfully, and involves all adults aged between 50 and 74 years being invited to post back a faecal sample for testing every 2 years. However, screening uptake is sub-optimal: for example rates for the period November 2009 to October 2011 ranged from just 39% for males living in the most deprived areas to 67% for least deprived females. Recent research has shown that asking people to consider the emotional consequences of not participating in screening (anticipated regret) can lead to a significant increase in screening uptake.
  
  
  METHODS
  We will test a simple anticipated regret manipulation, in a large randomised controlled trial with 60,000 members of the general public. They will be randomly allocated to one of 3 arms, no questionnaire, control questionnaire or anticipated regret questionnaire. The primary outcome will be screening test kit return. Results will also be examined by demographic variables (age, gender, deprivation) as these are currently related to screening kit return.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If this anticipated regret intervention leads to a significant increase in colorectal cancer screening kit returns, this would represent a rare example of a theoretically-driven, simple intervention that could result in earlier detection of colorectal cancer and many more lives saved.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled trials: ISRCTN74986452.
authors.affiliation: Psychology, School of Natural Sciences, Stirling University, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK. reo1@stir.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ronan E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: O'Carroll
authors.forename: Robert J C
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Libby
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brownlee
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D059031:Anticipation, Psychological; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009780:Occult Blood; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012606:Scotland
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
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