Interventions to Increase Cancer Screening by Increasing Client Access

Research Gaps

What are Research Gaps?

Evidence of Effectiveness

These reviews demonstrate the effectiveness of reducing structural barriers in increasing screening for breast and colorectal cancers (by mammography and FOBT, respectively) and the effectiveness of reducing out-of-pocket client costs in increasing screening for breast cancer. However, important questions not addressed in the reviews may have additional implications for the effectiveness of these interventions.

• How can public social and economic policies, along with private initiatives, direct resources to increase cost relief and structural accessibility to cancer screening services?
• What are effective ways to ensure that clients are informed that structural and economic barriers to cancer screening access have been or can be reduced?
• How can access problems caused by shortages of radiologists who read mammograms and closing of breast cancer screening facilities be addressed?
• Can the capacity to perform screening endoscopy be increased to meet current and future needs?

Because evidence was insufficient to determine whether reducing structural barriers is effective in increasing cervical cancer screening, or whether reducing out-of-pocket costs is effective in increasing both cervical and colorectal cancer screening, basic effectiveness research questions remain. These include questions about the role of reducing structural barriers and out-of-pocket costs in promoting screening by colorectal endoscopy and double contrast barium enema.