Cancer Prevention & Control, Client-oriented Screening Interventions: Small Media
Small media include videos and printed materials such as letters, brochures, and newsletters. These materials can be used to inform and motivate people to be screened for cancer. They can provide information tailored to specific individuals or targeted to general audiences.
Task Force Recommendations & Findings
The Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommends interventions that use small media based on strong evidence of their effectiveness in increasing:
- Breast cancer screening by mammography
- Cervical cancer screening by Pap test
- Colorectal cancer screening by fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
The Task Force concluded there was insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of using small media to increase colorectal cancer screening by flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or double contrast barium enema because no studies evaluating these screening procedures were identified.
Results from the Systematic Reviews
Breast Cancer
Nineteen studies qualified for the systematic review, two were excluded from the final analysis.- Proportion of study participants completing screening by mammography: median increase of 7.0 percentage points (21 study arms)
- Interventions were effective when tailored: 7.0 percentage point median increase (7 study arms)
- Interventions also were effective when untailored: 5.3 percentage point median increase (14 study arms)
Reviewed studies were conducted in both rural and urban communities and among different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
Read a Research-tested Intervention Program (RTIP) about the use of small media interventions to increase breast cancer screening (What is an RTIP?).
Cervical Cancer
Twelve studies (including 15 study arms) qualified for the systematic review.
- Proportion of study participants completing screening by Pap test: median increase of 4.5 percentage points (12 study arms)
- Tailoring was either less effective or, at best, no more effective than untailored interventions. Questions remain about the value of tailoring small media interventions to increase cervical cancer screening rates. (2 studies)
Reviewed studies were conducted in both rural and urban communities and among different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
Read a Research-tested Intervention Program (RTIP) about the use of small media interventions to increase cervical cancer screening (What is an RTIP?).
Colorectal Cancer
Seven studies (including 9 study arms) qualified for the systematic review (one included a tailored intervention).
- Proportion of study participants completing screening by FOBT: median increase of 12.7 percentage points (8 study arms)
- None of the qualifying studies addressed flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or double contrast barium enema screening, so the findings may not apply to these.
Reviewed studies were conducted among different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
Read a Research-tested Intervention Program (RTIP) about the use of small media interventions 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. 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. 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 Task Force on Community Preventive Services 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. Cancer prevention & control, client-oriented screening interventions: small media. www.thecommunityguide.org/cancer/screening/client-oriented/SmallMedia.html. Last updated: MM/DD/YYYY.
Review completed: July 2008
- Page last reviewed: March 10, 2010
- Page last updated: March 10, 2010
- Content source: The Guide to Community Preventive Services
What are RTIPs and why consider them?
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