BENE-FIT Trial: Improving Bowel Cancer Screening Uptake
Research type
Research Study
Full title
BENE-FIT Trial: Improving Bowel Cancer Screening Uptake. Testing the effectiveness of two behaviour change interventions.
IRAS ID
347604
Contact name
Daryl O'Connor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 21 days
Research summary
Bowel cancer screening uptake remains concerningly low. A recent study in England found only 68.9% of test kits were returned and in some regions uptake rates are as low as 50.8%. Uptake is particularly poor in minority ethnic and in more deprived groups. Initial work indicated that two low-cost behaviour change interventions, focused on motivation and implementation, may be effective in improving screening uptake. The aim of this research is to adapt these interventions for use with the new NHS screening kit introduced in 2019, with a particular focus on improving uptake in groups with the lowest uptake. These interventions will be used in combination with a date-specified suggested deadline for returning the kit, which new research suggests is also effective in improving uptake.
A randomised controlled trial will test a) the motivation/implementation intervention, b) suggested deadline and c) a combination of the motivation/implementation intervention and a suggested deadline against d) a control group who receive usual care. This will take place via the NHS North East Bowel Cancer Screening Hub, in conjunction with NHS England. If successful, this intervention could be 'rolled out' nationally and it will have implications for improving delivery of the NHS BCSP in the North East region of England.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/YH/0008
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jan 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion