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Improving breast screening uptake: persuading initial non-attenders to attend
K M Turner1, B J Wilson, F J Gilbert
1Department of Public Health, University of Aberdeen Medical School, Foresterhill, United Kingdom.
Journal of Medical Screening
|July 1, 1994
Summary
A general practitioner (GP) letter significantly increased breast screening attendance rates for women who missed their first invitation. This low-cost intervention proved effective and feasible for improving screening program uptake.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Low attendance rates for initial screening invitations are a challenge for breast cancer screening programs.
- Second invitations are sent to non-attenders, but further strategies are needed to improve uptake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a general practitioner (GP) letter in increasing attendance rates for a second breast screening invitation.
- To determine the additional costs associated with implementing a GP letter intervention.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 465 women who missed their first breast screening invitation.
- The intervention group received a standard second invitation with an accompanying GP letter; the control group received only the standard invitation.
- Cost analysis included data from the screening center, direct observation, and staff interviews.
Main Results:
- The attendance rate one month after the second invitation was significantly higher in the GP letter group (21%) compared to the control group (10%).
- The average cost per GP letter was 1.1 pence, with a marginal cost of 9.6 pence per additional attendee.
- No non-monetary costs were identified.
Conclusions:
- A GP letter is an effective and feasible method for increasing attendance to second breast screening invitations.
- Further research is recommended to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of GP letters in other screening populations.