Primary care-based text reminders in colorectal cancer screening
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of GP-based text-message reminders to facilitate uptake of colorectal cancer screening in London
IRAS ID
177351
Contact name
Christian von Wagner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2015/03/45, UCL Data Protection Registration
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC, also known as bowel cancer) is the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in England. Screening the at risk population for CRC by way of biennial faecal occult blood testing (FOBt) reduces CRC deaths by detecting CRC early, at a time when it is easier to treat. In England, the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) aims to screen 60% of the eligible population every two years; in the previous screening round however (2012-2013), uptake was just below the national target, at 58.49%, and there were major disparities between the capital and the rest of England, with uptake in London 10% below the national average, at 48%. As such, there is an important need for interventions to promote uptake of FOBt in the capital to reduce inequalities in uptake.
Increasing evidence demonstrates that General Practitioner (GP) endorsement promotes CRC screening uptake and there is a growing interest in the use text-message reminders to increase participation in cancer screening. The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a primary care-based text-message reminder to promote CRC screening uptake in London. Patients registered with a participating GP practice will be randomly allocated to receive a text-message from their GP (or not) seven weeks after the kit was mailed to them. The text-message will act as a prompt to return the tests kist if they have not already done so. Uptake in both groups will be measured at 18 weeks and compared for statistically significant differences. This study will be conducted in 180 primary care practices in London and is expected to run for two months (i.e. the sample size [n=3,118] is met).
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EM/0159
Date of REC Opinion
1 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion