Steps towards increasing bowel cancer screening uptake: a randomised controlled trial

Background and study aims
Bowel cancer screening uptake has traditionally been lower than the government would like it to be. As screening can spot early signs of cancer and even stop bowel cancer from occurring, the public health service would like to improve screening rates.
This study aims to test a set of new, evidence-based materials, informed by psychological theory, to increase the return of the stool-based bowel cancer screening kit the NHS uses, in the North East region of England.
Who can participate?
Adults age 60 – 74 years eligible for bowel cancer screening
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of four groups. All participants are sent an initial invitation letter for bowel cancer screening and the standard NHS information booklet.
Those in the first group receive an intervention pack four days after the letter, with an information sheet and short paper based task encouraging them to connect barriers likely to be encountered with effective responses. They receive the bowel cancer screening test four days later.
Participants in the second group receive an intervention pack containing the information sheet and a motivational leaflet. They receive the screening kit in the post four days later.
Participants in the third group receive both of the above intervention packs in the post four days after the initial letter, before the screening kit four days later.
Participants in the last group receive no additional information, and get a screening kit in the post eight days after the initial letter.