Cancer Prevention & Control, Client-Oriented Screening Interventions: Client Incentives

(2008 Archived Review)

Task Force Finding*

Client incentives are small, non-coercive rewards (e.g., cash or coupons) to motivate people to seek cancer screening for themselves or to encourage others (e.g., family members, close friends) to seek screening. Incentives are distinct from interventions designed to improve access to services (e.g., transportation, child care, reducing out-of-pocket client costs), which are considered separately.

A review of available scientific evidence identified no studies evaluating the use of incentives alone. Therefore, evidence is insufficient to determine the effectiveness of client incentives alone in increasing screening for breast, cervical, or colorectal cancers.

*From the following publication:

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.