A study testing a motivation-based messaging, planning tool, and a suggested deadline to help people aged 50–74 in North East England take part in NHS bowel screening

BENE-FIT Trial: A randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a motivation and planning intervention, a suggested deadline, and their combination versus usual care on bowel screening kit return at six months in adults aged 50–74 in North East England

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN15652184

Enrollment

73600

Registered

2026-06-12

Start date

2026-07-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-06-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Bowel cancer Cancer

Interventions

Participants are allocated to one of four groups to assess the impact of two psychological interventions, either alone or in combination, on bowel cancer screening uptake. Allocation is conducted usin

and (b) a Volitional Help Sheet, which supports decision-making by guiding participants to form ‘if-then’ plans, linking common barriers (e.g., embarrassment or forgetfulness) with practical solutions

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

50 Years to 74 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Aged 50-74 years 2. Living in an area under the care of the North East Bowel Screening Hub 3. Eligible for bowel cancer screening

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Participants who have opted out of research using the National Opt Out scheme

Design outcomes

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Time to kit return measured using the recorded date of kit return from study records within 6 months of kit distribution 2. Screening test result measured as a binary outcome using clinical records indicating whether further investigation (i.e., colonoscopy) was required within 6 months of kit distribution 3. Colonoscopy uptake (if offered) measured as a binary outcome using clinical records indicating whether a colonoscopy appointment was attended within 6 months of kit distribution 4. Colonoscopy results (if offered) measured using clinical records of diagnostic outcomes within 6 months of kit distribution	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Time to kit return measured using the recorded date of kit return from study records within 6 months of kit distribution 2. Screening test result measured as a binary outcome using clinical records indicating whether further investigation (i.e., colonoscopy) was required within 6 months of kit distribution 3. Colonoscopy uptake (if offered) measured as a binary outcome using clinical records indicating whether a colonoscopy appointment was attended within 6 months of kit distribution 4. Colonoscopy results (if offered) measured using clinical records of diagnostic outcomes within 6 months of kit distribution

—

Countries

England, United Kingdom

Contacts

Public ContactDaryl O'Connor

d.b.oconnor@leeds.ac.uk+44 (0)1133431813

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Jun 29, 2026