Association between age factors and strategies for promoting participation in gastric and colorectal cancer screenings

Chisato Hamashima,Hiroshi Sano

doi:10.1186/s12885-018-4244-6

Abstract

BackgroundDespite the long history of cancer screening in Japan, the participation rates in gastric and colorectal cancer screenings have not increased. Strategies for improving the participation rates have been proposed, but differences in their effects among different age groups remain unclear.MethodsThe Japanese government conducted a national survey in all municipalities in Japan in 2010 to investigate whether the implementation of promotion strategies increased participation in cancer screening. We investigated the association between age factors and strategies for promoting participation in cancer screening based on this national survey. Multiple regression analysis with generalized linear model was performed using the participation rates in gastric and colorectal cancer screenings as dependent variables, and the following strategies for promoting participation as independent variables: 1) personal invitation letters, 2) household invitation letters, 3) home visits by community nurses, 4) screenings in medical offices, and 5) free cancer screening programs.ResultsOne thousand six hundred thirty nine municipalities for gastric cancer screening and 1666 municipalities for colorectal cancer screening were selected for the analysis. In gastric and colorectal cancer screenings, the participation rates of individuals aged 60–69 years was higher than those of other age groups. Personal and household invitation letters were effective promotion strategies for all age groups, which encouraged even older people to participate in gastric and colorectal cancer screenings. Screening in medical offices and free screenings were not effective in all age groups. Home visits were effective, but their adoption was limited to small municipalities.ConclusionsTo clarify whether promotion strategies can increase the participation rate in cancer screening among different age groups, 5 strategies were assessed on the basis of a national survey. Although personal and household invitation letters were effective strategies for promoting participation in cancer screening for all age groups, these strategies equally encouraged older people to participate in gastric and colorectal cancer screenings. If resource for sending invitation letters are limited, priority should be given to individuals who are in their 50s and 60s for gastric and colorectal cancer screening.

Highlights

Despite the long history of cancer screening in Japan, the participation rates in gastric and colorectal cancer screenings have not increased
The incidences of gastric and colorectal cancers increase with age, individuals who are in their 50s and 60s have priory as the target populations for gastric and colorectal cancer screenings based on their incidence and productivity loss
Discussion we identified that personal and household invitation letters were effective promotion strategies for increasing participation in gastric and colorectal cancer screenings [8], we obtained the same results even if the subjects were divided into 4 age groups

Summary

Introduction

Despite the long history of cancer screening in Japan, the participation rates in gastric and colorectal cancer screenings have not increased. Strategies for improving the participation rates have been proposed, but differences in their effects among different age groups remain unclear. Gastric cancer screening as a national program in Asia has been carried out only in Korea and Japan [1, 2]. The upper age limit in colorectal cancer screening ranges from 64 to 80 years [3].there is no upper age limit in the national programs for gastric and colorectal cancer screenings in Korea and Japan [1, 5]

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion