A randomised controlled trial of a reminder intervention to promote Bowel Scope Screening uptake

Citation

Kerrison RS, McGregor LM, Marshall S, Isitt J, Counsell N, Wardle J & von Wagner C (2016) A randomised controlled trial of a reminder intervention to promote Bowel Scope Screening uptake. 30th European Health Psychology Society and British Psychological Society Division of Health Psychology Conference 2016, Aberdeen, Scotland, 23.08.2016-27.08.2016. http://doi.org/10.13140/rg.2.2.14330.29121; https://doi.org/10.13140/rg.2.2.14330.29121

Abstract
Background: In 2013, Bowel Scope Screening (BSS) was added to the English NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in an attempt to help prevent colorectal cancer (CRC) in the general population. BSS is a once only test offered to 55 year olds (men and women) registered with a GP in England (full roll out expected in 2018). • BSS involves the individual self-administering an enema before attending an appointment at a screening centre. At this appointment a flexible tube with a camera on the end is inserted into the individual’s back passage. The tube is used to find and remove polyps (growths) within the first third of the bowel. • Some polyps can develop into cancer over time and so by removing them at a pre-cancerous stage the likelihood of developing bowel cancer is reduced. Research suggests that BSS can reduce CRC incidence by 33% and mortality by 43% (Atkin et al, 2010). • Although only invited once, if not accepted, an individual can self-refer for a BSS appointment at any point up to the age of 60 when they become eligible for the home-based guaiac Faecal Occult Blood test (gFOBt). • Average uptake of BSS is low (43.1%) with St Mark’s Hospital in London falling below average (40.5%) (McGregor et al, 2016). • A previous study assessed the feasibility of sending out a 12 month self-referral reminder letter with a locally tailored information leaflet at St Mark’s Hospital. Positive results, including 15.5% of invited non responders attending a BSS appointment, led to the development of this RCT (Kerrison et al, 2016).

Journal
Unpublished

People

Dr Lesley McGregor

Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Psychology