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Increasing Cancer Screening: One-on-One 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.

One-on-one education is provided in person or by telephone to encourage individuals to be screened for cancer. Healthcare providers can deliver one-on-one education in clinical settings, at home, or in local gathering places. Brochures, informational letters, or reminders may also be used. The information can be general or tailored to the needs of each person.

Summary of Task Force Recommendations & Findings

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends interventions that include one-on-one education based on strong evidence of its effectiveness in increasing:

  • Breast cancer screening by mammography
  • Cervical cancer screening by Pap test

The Task Force finds insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of one-on-one education to increase:

  • Colorectal cancer screening by fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or double contrast barium enema (based on a small number of studies with methodological limitations)

Task Force Finding

Results from the Systematic Review

Breast Cancer

Twenty-five studies (including 35 study arms) qualified for the systematic review.

  • Proportion of study participants completing mammography: median increase of 9.3 percentage points (31 study arms)
  • Results from four additional study arms were in favor of the intervention.

Twenty-five studies provided information relevant to the effectiveness of tailoring.

  • Tailored interventions: median increase of 10.6 percentage points (19 study arms)
  • Untailored interventions: median increase of 9.3 percentage points (12 study arms)

The studies were conducted in rural and urban communities and among different ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

image of planetFind a Research-tested Intervention Program (RTIP) External Web Site Icon about the use of one-on-one education to increase breast cancer screening (What is an RTIP?).

Cervical Cancer

Five studies (including 8 study arms) qualified for the systematic review.

  • Proportion of study participants completing Pap test: median increase of 8.1 percentage points (8 study arms)

The studies were conducted in rural and urban communities and among different ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

image of planetFind a Research-tested Intervention Program (RTIP) External Web Site Icon  about the use of one-on-one education to increase cervical cancer screening (What is an RTIP?).

Colorectal Cancer

The evidence was insufficient to determine effectiveness because only two studies of adequate quality were found.

  • Although the studies reported a median 12.9 percentage point increase in colorectal cancer screening by FOBT, both had limitations in the quality of their execution.

These results were based on a systematic review of all available studies, by a team of specialists in systematic review methods, and experts in research, practice and policy related to cancer prevention.

image of planetFind a Research-tested Intervention Program (RTIP) External Web Site Icon about the use of one-on-one 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

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. Adobe PDF File [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. Adobe PDF File [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: one-on-one education (2008 archived review). www.thecommunityguide.org/cancer/screening/client-oriented/OneonOneEducation_archive.html. Last updated: MM/DD/YYYY.

Review completed: July 2008