@article{Vives2025,

title = {Text Messaging Versus Postal Reminders to Improve Participation in a Colorectal Cancer Screening Program: Randomized Controlled Trial},

author = {Nuria Vives and Gemma Binefa and Noemie Travier and Albert Farre and Jon Aritz Panera and Berta Casas and Carmen Vidal and Gemma Ibáñez-Sanz and Montse Garcia and },

doi = {10.2196/64243},

issn = {2291-5222},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {JMIR Mhealth Uhealth},

volume = {13},

publisher = {JMIR Publications Inc.},

abstract = {

            Background

            Mobile phone SMS text message reminders have shown moderate effects in improving participation rates in ongoing colorectal cancer screening programs.

          

          

            Objective

            This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of SMS text messages as a replacement for routine postal reminders in a fecal immunochemical test–based colorectal cancer screening program in Catalonia, Spain.

          

          

            Methods

            We conducted a randomized controlled trial among individuals aged 50 to 69 years who were invited to screening but had not completed their fecal immunochemical test within 6 weeks. The intervention group (n=12,167) received an SMS text message reminder, while the control group (n=12,221) followed the standard procedure of receiving a reminder letter. The primary outcome was participation within 18 weeks of the invitation. The trial was stopped early, and a recovery strategy was implemented for nonparticipants in the intervention group. We performed a final analysis to evaluate the impact of the recovery strategy on the main outcome of the trial. Participation was assessed using a logistic regression model adjusting for potential confounders (sex, age, and deprivation score index) globally and by screening behavior.

          

          

            Results

            The trial was discontinued early in September 2022 due to the results of the interim analysis. The interim analysis included 5570 individuals who had completed 18 weeks of follow-up (intention-to-treat). The SMS text message group had a participation rate of 17.2% (477/2781), whereas the control group had a participation rate of 21.9% (610/2789; odds ratio 0.71, 95% CI 0.62-0.82; P<.001). As a recovery strategy, 7591 (72.7%) out of 10,442 nonparticipants in the SMS text message group had an open screening episode and received a second reminder by letter, reaching a participation rate of 23% (1748/7591). The final analysis (N=24,388) showed a participation rate of 29.3% (3561/12,167) in the intervention group, which received 2 reminders, while the participation rate was 26.5% (3235/12,221) in the control group (odds ratio 1.16, 95% CI 1.09-1.23; P<.001).

          

          

            Conclusions

            Replacing SMS text messages with reminder letters did not increase the participation rate but also led to a decline in participation among nonparticipants 6 weeks after the invitation. However, sending a second reminder by letter significantly increased participation rates among nonparticipants within 6 weeks in the SMS text message group compared with those who received 1 postal reminder (control group). Additional research is essential to determine the best timing and frequency of reminders to boost participation without being intrusive in their choice of participation.

          

          

            Trial Registration

            ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04343950; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04343950

          },

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid39747650,

title = {The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on delays and disruptions in cancer care services: a systematic review and meta-analysis},

author = {Shah R and Hanna NM and Loo CE and David M and Mafra A and Fink H and McFerran E and Garcia M and Ghodssighassemabadi R and Acharya S and Niyibaga J and Langselius O and Frick C and Lasebikan N and Vignat J and Steinberg J and Hughes S and Kircher CE and Goldie CL and Egger S and Sullivan R and Ginsburg O and Bray F and Caruana M and Hui H and Ilbawi AM and Canfell K and Soerjomataram I},

doi = {10.1038/s43018-024-00880-4},

issn = {2662-1347},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Nat Cancer},

volume = {6},

number = {1},

pages = {194--204},

abstract = {The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic substantially impacted the delivery of cancer services and programs. Here we reviewed and synthesized the global scale and impact of pandemic-related delays and disruptions on cancer services, including diagnosis, diagnostic procedures, screening, treatment and supportive and palliative care. Based on data from 245 articles in 46 countries, we observed declines in the number of cancer screening participation (39.0%), diagnoses (23.0%), diagnostic procedures (24.0%) and treatment (28.0%), ranging from a 15.0% decline for radiotherapy to a 35.0% decline for systemic treatment during the pandemic compared to during the prepandemic period. Medium-human development index (HDI) category countries experienced greater reductions than high- and very-high-HDI countries. Missing data from low-HDI countries emphasize the need for increased investments in cancer surveillance and research in these settings. PROSPERO registration: CRD42022301816.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}