Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40165537›Full record

ArticleCancer2025

Interventions to increase uptake in a fecal-immunochemical test population-based colorectal cancer screening program: A quasi-experimental study of first-time invitees.

Nicholas Clarke, Therese Mooney, Pamela Gallagher, Christian von Wagner, Paul Hanly, Deirdre McNamara, Hilary Coffey, Patricia Fitzpatrick, Linda Sharp

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Nicholas ClarkeConverge: Centre for Chronic Disease and Population Health Research, School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health, Dublin, Ireland.
Therese MooneyNational Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland.
Pamela GallagherSchool of Psychology, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland.
Christian von WagnerDepartment of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK.
Paul HanlyNational College of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
Deirdre McNamaraDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Hilary CoffeyNational Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland.
Patricia FitzpatrickNational Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland.
Linda SharpPopulation Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Funding

Irish Cancer Society SCR20CLA
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMany countries have established organized colorectal cancer screening programs because they can reduce mortality and incidence from the disease; however, they rely on high participation rates, which are often suboptimal. This study examined the effectiveness of two reminder interventions on uptake rates in Ireland's population-based BowelScreen program.

methodsEmploying a quasi-experimental design, one intervention mailed the fecal-immunochemical test (FIT) directly to clients not responding to an initial invitation; the other mailed a reminder letter modified with behavioral insights. Interventions were tested separately and in combination and compared to the standard reminder letter (1: standard reminder letter [SRL]; 2: modified reminder letter [MRL]; 3: SRL + FIT direct [FITD]; and 4: MRL + FITD). PRIMARY OUTCOME: overall uptake rate (test completion at 5 months); Subgroup outcome: uptake rate among only those receiving reminders. Outcomes were modeled using multivariable logistic regression with group allocation as a fixed effect, adjusted for sex and deprivation.

resultsUptake was significantly higher in the FITD groups (SRL: 48%; MRL: 50%; SRL + FITD: 54%; MRL + FITD: 54%; p < .001). After adjustment, compared to the SRL group, FITD groups had significantly higher odds of uptake (MRL: odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96-1.23; SRL + FITD: OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.14-1.48; MRL + FITD: OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.11-1.44). This was also the case for subgroup analysis. The MRL did not result in higher uptake compared to SRL.

conclusionMailing the FIT kit directly to nonresponders resulted in improved FIT uptake. Organized FIT-based screening programs not reaching uptake targets should consider implementing this strategy if not already in place.

Indexed as

Colorectal NeoplasmsEarly Detection of CancerMass ScreeningOccult BloodPatient Acceptance of Health CareReminder SystemsAgedFecesFemaleHumansIrelandMaleMiddle Agedcolorectal cancer screeningfecal immunochemical testinterventionparticipationuptake

Identifiers

PMID40165537
PMCPMC11959210

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.