Brief intervention for non-responders to bowel cancer screening
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility study: brief intervention for non-responders to bowel cancer screening in primary care
IRAS ID
164657
Contact name
Christine Campbell
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 10 days
Research summary
Colorectal cancer is a common cancer in both men and women in the UK. Although bowel cancer screening programmes have the potential to help reduce deaths from this disease, participation rates are low; particularly in areas of high deprivation. This feasibility study will test primary care-based intervention which aims to increase uptake among non-responders to bowel cancer screening by removing barriers to screening and providing a renewed opportunity to take part in the screening programme. The intervention is in keeping with the Scottish Government's Detect Cancer Early campaign to increase awareness and uptake of screening via primary care; GPs in Lothian may already be engaging with patients on this topic. We have discussed this intervention with DCE who have welcomed it as a possible tool for future use.
The intervention will be delivered over a four-month period in six general practices in Lothian (with high levels of social deprivation). Eligible patients will be identified in each practice and, if appropriate, a brief intervention will be delivered by a health professional during routine consultations. The intervention comprises a guidance flowchart and a set of 3-4 questions to introduce and discuss the fact the patient did not return a completed bowel screening test when previously invited for screening (a non-responder). Patients' concerns and reasons for non-response will be explored. Patients can choose to take an information leaflet providing details on bowel screening and a new opportunity to request a screening kit.
Health professionals will document each intervention on a proforma and return it to researchers. Data from end of study questionnaires and qualitative interviews will be analysed to assess the feasibility of the intervention. If feasible, findings will inform a larger scale study.
This study is funded by the National Early Awareness Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI-2) call, which is administered by Cancer Research UK.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
14/SS/1067
Date of REC Opinion
30 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion