Cancer Screening: Client Incentives — Cervical Cancer

Findings and Recommendations


The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) finds insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of using client incentives to increase screening for cervical cancers because only one study qualified for review.

The full CPSTF Finding and Rationale Statement and supporting documents for Increasing Cancer Screening: Client Incentives [for Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancers] are available in The Community Guide Collection on CDC Stacks.

Intervention


Client incentives are small, non-coercive rewards (e.g., cash or coupons) that aim 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, childcare, reducing client out-of-pocket costs).

About The Systematic Review


The CPSTF finding is based on evidence from a Community Guide systematic review published in 2008 (Baron et al., 0 studies, search period 1966-2004) combined with more recent evidence (0 studies, search period 2004-2008). The systematic review was conducted on behalf of the CPSTF by a team of specialists in systematic review methods, and in research, practice, and policy related to cancer prevention and control.

Study Characteristics


No studies qualified for the review.

Summary of Results


No studies evaluating the effect of client incentives on cervical cancer screening qualified for the review.

Summary of Economic Evidence


An economic review of this intervention was not conducted because CPSTF did not have enough information to determine if the intervention works.

Applicability


No studies evaluating the effect of client incentives on cervical cancer screening qualified for the review.

Evidence Gaps


No studies evaluating the effect of client incentives on cervical cancer screening qualified for the review.

Implementation Considerations and Resources


CPSTF did not have enough evidence to determine whether the intervention is or is not effective. This does not mean that the intervention does not work, but rather that additional research is needed to determine whether or not the intervention is effective.