BACKGROUND: Compared with screening programs for breast and cervical cancer, reported participation rates for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening are low. The effectiveness of a screening program is strongly influenced by the participation rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the main reasons not to participate in a population-based, invitational CRC screening program. METHODS: In the Dutch study program for CRC screening, a random selection of 20 623 persons were invited received a faecal occult blood test. Of the non-participants, 500 were randomly selected and contacted for a standardized telephone interview from November 2006 to May 2007 to document the main reason not to participate. RESULTS: In total, 312 (62%) non-participants could be included for analysis. Most frequently, reported reasons for non-participation were time-related or priority-related (36%), including 'did not notice test in mailbox' (13%) and 'forgot' (8%). Other reasons were health-related issues, such as 'severe illness' (9%), or emotional reasons, such as 'family circumstances' (7%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the reported reasons not to participate reflect low priority for screening. Adding extra instructions and information, and addressing specific concerns through additional interventions should be considered to improve individual decision-making about participation in future CRC population-based screening programs.
BACKGROUND: Compared with screening programs for breast and cervical cancer, reported participation rates for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening are low. The effectiveness of a screening program is strongly influenced by the participation rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the main reasons not to participate in a population-based, invitational CRC screening program. METHODS: In the Dutch study program for CRC screening, a random selection of 20 623 persons were invited received a faecal occult blood test. Of the non-participants, 500 were randomly selected and contacted for a standardized telephone interview from November 2006 to May 2007 to document the main reason not to participate. RESULTS: In total, 312 (62%) non-participants could be included for analysis. Most frequently, reported reasons for non-participation were time-related or priority-related (36%), including 'did not notice test in mailbox' (13%) and 'forgot' (8%). Other reasons were health-related issues, such as 'severe illness' (9%), or emotional reasons, such as 'family circumstances' (7%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the reported reasons not to participate reflect low priority for screening. Adding extra instructions and information, and addressing specific concerns through additional interventions should be considered to improve individual decision-making about participation in future CRC population-based screening programs.
Authors: Maaike J Denters; Marije Deutekom; Marie-Louise Essink-Bot; Patrick M Bossuyt; Paul Fockens; Evelien Dekker Journal: Health Expect Date: 2013-02-25 Impact factor: 3.377
Authors: Nicola J Hall; Greg P Rubin; Christina Dobson; David Weller; Jane Wardle; Mary Ritchie; Colin J Rees Journal: Health Expect Date: 2013-11-25 Impact factor: 3.377
Authors: Charlotte J Tutein Nolthenius; Thierry N Boellaard; Margriet C de Haan; C Yung Nio; Maarten G J Thomeer; Shandra Bipat; Alexander D Montauban van Swijndregt; Marie-Louise Essink-Bot; Ernst J Kuipers; Evelien Dekker; Jaap Stoker Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2016-04-08 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: Yasemin Hirst; Hanna Skrobanski; Robert S Kerrison; Lindsay C Kobayashi; Nicholas Counsell; Natasha Djedovic; Josephine Ruwende; Mark Stewart; Christian von Wagner Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2017-04-25 Impact factor: 7.640
Authors: Thomas Hg Bongaerts; Frederike L Büchner; Barend Jc Middelkoop; Onno R Guicherit; Mattijs E Numans Journal: J Med Screen Date: 2019-12-04 Impact factor: 2.136
Authors: Louisa Flander; Evelien Dekker; Berit Andersen; Mette Bach Larsen; Robert J Steele; Nea Malila; Tytti Sarkeala; Manon van der Vlugt; Clasine de Klerk; Bart Knottnerus; Lucinda Bertels; Anke Woudstra; Manon C W Spaander; Mirjam Fransen; Sirpa Heinavaara; Mary Dillon; Driss Ait Ouakrim; Mark Jenkins Journal: Cancer Control Date: 2022 Jan-Dec Impact factor: 2.339