Increasing Cancer Screening: Group Education
(2008 Archived Review)
This is an archived summary of the systemic review and Task Force finding published in 2008. Read a summary of the updated review and related Task Force finding.
Group education conveys information on indications for, benefits of, and ways to overcome barriers to screening with the goal of informing, encouraging, and motivating participants to seek recommended cancer screenings. Group education can be delivered in many settings, by different types of educators and can include various topics.
Summary of Task Force Recommendations & Findings
The Community Preventive Services Task Force finds insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of group education in increasing screening for:
- Breast cancer (based on inconclusive findings)
- Cervical cancer (based on a small number of studies with inconsistent findings and methodological limitations)
- Colorectal cancers (based on a single study with mixed results)
Results from the Systematic Review
Breast Cancer
Seven studies with eight study arms (one study included two separate interventions) qualified for the systematic review but their findings were inconsistent.
Find a Research-Tested Intervention Program (RTIP) 
about the use of group education to increase breast cancer screening (What is an RTIP?).
Cervical Cancer
Only two studies qualified for the systematic review and their findings were inconsistent.
Find a Research-Tested Intervention Program (RTIP) about the use of group education to increase cervical cancer screening (What is an RTIP?).
Colorectal Cancer
Only one study qualified for the systematic review and its findings were inconsistent.
No studies addressing other types of colorectal cancer screening procedures qualified for the review.
Find a Research-Tested Intervention Program (RTIP) about the use of group education to increase colorectal cancer screening (What is an RTIP?).
These findings were based on a systematic review of all available studies, conducted on behalf of the Task Force by a team of specialists in systematic review methods, and in research, practice and policy related to cancer prevention and control.
Supporting Materials
- Analytic framework
[PDF - 410KB] - Evidence Gaps
- Summary evidence table [PDF - 62KB]
- Included Studies
- Search Strategy
Publications
Baron RC, Rimer BK, Breslow RA, et al. Client-directed interventions to increase community demand for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening: a systematic review. [PDF - 1.05MB] Am J Prev Med 2008;35(1S): S34-55.
Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Recommendations for client- and provider-directed interventions to increase breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. [PDF - 74KB] Am J Prev Med 2008;35(1S): S21-5.
More Community Guide publications about Cancer Prevention and Control
Disclaimer
The findings and conclusions on this page are those of the Community Preventive Services Task Force and do not necessarily represent those of CDC.
Sample Citation
The content of publications of the Guide to Community Preventive Services is in the public domain. Citation as to source, however, is appreciated. Sample citation:
Guide to Community Preventive Services. Increasing cancer screening: group education (2008 archived review). www.thecommunityguide.org/cancer/screening/client-oriented/GroupEducation_archive.html. Last updated: MM/DD/YYYY.
Review completed: July 2008
- Page last reviewed: January 27, 2011
- Page last updated: January 13, 2012
- Content source: The Guide to Community Preventive Services
