Effectiveness and Acceptability of Targeted Text Message Reminders in Colorectal Cancer Screening: Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Preventive Medicine
• Health Communication

Background:

• Mobile phone-based SMS text messages show potential for enhancing colorectal cancer screening participation.
• A study in Catalonia, Spain, evaluated adding SMS reminders to standard procedures for individuals who received but did not return screening kits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness and acceptability of targeted SMS text message reminders.
• To determine the impact on fecal immunochemical test (FIT) completion rates and cost-effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involved individuals who picked up a FIT kit but did not return it within 14 days.
• The intervention group (n=4563) received an SMS reminder; the control group (n=4806) did not. Both groups received a reminder letter if necessary.
• Primary outcome was FIT completion rate at 30, 60, and 126 days. Acceptability and cost-effectiveness were also assessed.

Main Results:

• The intervention group demonstrated higher FIT completion rates at 30 (64.2% vs 53.7%), 60 (78.6% vs 72.0%), and 126 (82.6% vs 77.7%) days (P<.001).
• Participation increased regardless of sex, age, socioeconomic level, or prior screening behavior.
• SMS reminders were considered useful (89.2%) and preferred over postal letters (93.4%). Invitation costs reduced by US $2.4 per participant gained.

Conclusions:

• Adding SMS text message reminders significantly boosted FIT kit return rates, proving to be a cost-effective strategy.
• SMS text messages are an acceptable and appropriate communication method for cancer screening programs.