Abstract
Early detection of cancer through organized screening is a central component of population-level strategies to reduce cancer mortality. For screening programs to be effective, it is important that those invited to screening participate. However, uptake rates are suboptimal in many populations and vary between screening programs, indicating a complex combination of patient factors that require elucidation to develop evidence-based strategies to increase participation. In this review, the authors summarize individual-level (sociodemographic and psychosocial) factors associated with cancer screening uptake and evidence for the effectiveness of behavioral interventions to increase uptake. The authors reflect on current trends and future directions for behavioral cancer screening research to overcome challenges and address unmet needs in reducing cancer mortality.
Highlights
SPECIAL FOCUS ISSUE y Patient Engagement in Cancer ResearchDetection of cancer through organized screening is a central component of population-level strategies to reduce cancer mortality
Improving uptake of cancer screening is crucial to reducing cancer mortality
Variations in uptake between cancer screening programs highlight the importance of understanding patient factors
Summary
Detection of cancer through organized screening is a central component of population-level strategies to reduce cancer mortality. Uptake rates are suboptimal in many populations and vary between screening programs, indicating a complex combination of patient factors that require elucidation to develop evidence-based strategies to increase participation. The authors include some evidence of prostate cancer screening uptake because it may be relevant to other cancer screening programs, such as with regard to understanding engagement of men in colorectal and lung cancer screening. The UK and US have generated much of the relevant research into patient factors in cancer screening, indicating potential shortcomings of the generalizability of current knowledge to screening uptake globally and the need for more research in different cultures and health systems. Country-specific nuances of screening programs and their organization can make it difficult to transfer lessons learned in one country to another, inclusion of evidence from both the UK and US offers insight into patient
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