The implementation and mechanisms of advance notification for cancer screening: A scoping review

Katelyn E Collins; Larry S Myers; Belinda C Goodwin; Alyssa Taglieri-Sclocchi; Michael J Ireland

doi:10.1002/pon.6340

The implementation and mechanisms of advance notification for cancer screening: A scoping review

Psychooncology. 2024 Apr;33(4):e6340. doi: 10.1002/pon.6340.

Authors

Katelyn E Collins^{1

2}, Larry S Myers^{1

3}, Belinda C Goodwin^{1

2

3}, Alyssa Taglieri-Sclocchi¹, Michael J Ireland^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Cancer Council Queensland, Fortitude Valley, Queensland, Australia.
² School of Psychology and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, Queensland, Australia.
³ Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, Queensland, Australia.

PMID: 38588033
DOI: 10.1002/pon.6340

Abstract

Objective: To describe and synthesise information on the content and delivery of advance notifications (information about cancer screening delivered prior to invitation) used to increase cancer screening participation and to understand the mechanisms that may underlie their effectiveness.

Methods: Searches related to advance notification and cancer screening were conducted in six electronic databases (APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science) and results were screened for eligibility. Study characteristics, features of the advance notifications (cancer type, format, delivery time, and content), and the effect of the notifications on cancer screening participation were extracted. Features were summarised and compared across effective versus ineffective notifications.

Results: Thirty-two articles were included in this review, reporting on 33 unique advance notifications. Of these, 79% were sent via postal mail, 79% were distributed prior to bowel cancer screening, and most were sent 2 weeks before the screening offer. Twenty-two full versions of the advance notifications were obtained for content analysis. Notifications included information about cancer risk, the benefits of screening, barriers to participation, social endorsement of cancer screening, and what to expect throughout the screening process. Of the 19 notifications whose effect was tested statistically, 68% were found to increase screening (by 0.7%-16%). Effectiveness did not differ according to the format, delivery time, or content within the notification, although some differences in cancer type were observed.

Conclusion: Future research should explore the effectiveness of advance notification via alternative formats and for other screening contexts and disentangle the intervention- and person-level factors driving its effect on screening participation.

Keywords: advance notification; cancer; early detection of cancer; intervention; oncology; pre‐notification; scoping review; screening.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Colorectal Neoplasms* / diagnosis
Colorectal Neoplasms* / prevention & control
Early Detection of Cancer*
Humans

Grants and funding

2010268/NHMRC Synergy Grant