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SMS Messaging as a Tool to Improve Cancer Screening Programs

Implementation of Text Messaging (SMS) as an Improvement Tool in Population-based Cancer Screening Programs

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04343950
Acronym
M-TICS
Enrollment
44601
Registered
2020-04-14
Start date
2021-06-05
Completion date
2022-12-31
Last updated
2025-09-24

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

Conditions

Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Mass Screening

Keywords

Uptake, Participation, Cost-effectiveness, Breast cancer screening, Colorectal cancer screening, Text-message, Mobile-health

Brief summary

The aim of this project is to assess the impact on health and economics of the implementation of text messaging (SMS) in cancer screening programs. Three interventions with SMS will be evaluated through community trials. In the colorectal cancer screening program the following interventions will be tested: a) Participation reminder: six weeks after sending the invitation letter of the colorectal cancer program if there has not been a response, a reminder SMS will be sent in front of the usual method by letter; b) Reminder to return the fecal occult blood test: SMS reminder of test delivery versus no intervention. This reminder will be sent to the individuals who have gone to the pharmacy to pick up a fecal occult blood test and they have not returned it after 14 days. The impact on participation will be analyzed and, if applicable, the proportion of advanced neoplasms will be calculated by increase in participation. In the breast cancer screening program, the invitation by SMS versus the usual invitation by letter will be studied in women who had participated in the previous screening round. The impact on participation will be analyzed. A cost-effectiveness analysis of the three interventions will be carried out. The incremental cost ratio of the interventions between cost variation and effectiveness variation will be calculated.

Detailed description

Main Hypothesis: The implementation of SMS in population-based cancer screening programs will improve participation, especially in colorectal cancer screening, will allow a better resource management and reduce costs in both programs. Specific Hypothesis: Sending the reminder SMS will have an impact on participation greater than that obtained with the standard reminder (letter) in the colorectal cancer screening program. The effect of the colorectal cancer screening reminder SMS will be greater among the individuals who have been invited for the first time and not previous participants. Participation after receiving the invitation by SMS in breast cancer screening will be equal to or better than the letter invitation. The alternative that includes sending SMS will be cost-effective in relation to the current alternative that you use postal shipping.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALSMS reminders to enhance colorectal cancer screening

Individual randomization will be used. Individuals assigned to the experimental arm with a wrong phone number will get a reminder letter (protocol analysis).

BEHAVIORALSMS reminders to return the fecal immunochemical test at the pharmacy in CRC screening:

Individual randomization will be used. Individuals with a wrong phone number assigned to the experimental arm will not get any reminder (protocol analysis).

BEHAVIORALInvitation by SMS to previous participants in breast cancer screening:

Individual randomization. Women assigned to the experimental arm and with a wrong phone number will get an invitation letter (protocol analysis).

Sponsors

University of Dundee
CollaboratorOTHER
University of Barcelona
CollaboratorOTHER
University Rovira i Virgili
CollaboratorOTHER
Institut Català d'Oncologia
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE

Masking description

Invited individuals to the cancer screening programs will not be aware of the different arms of the study.

Intervention model description

Intervention 1: SMS reminders for colorectal cancer screening compared to reminder letters. Intervention 2: SMS reminders to return the fecal occult blood test at the pharmacy compared to no intervention. Intervention 3: Invitation by SMS for women with a prior participation in the breast cancer screening program compared to invitation letter.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
50 Years to 69 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Eligible individuals for colorectal cancer screening (intervention 1 and 2) * Eligible women for breast cancer screening (intervention 3) * Registered at the HealthCare Database (RCA)

Exclusion criteria

* Individuals without a mobile phone number registered at the RCA * Opt out from breast cancer screening and/or colorectal cancer screening

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Intervention 1: Participation in colorectal cancer screening program18 weeksParticipation (no/yes) will be gathered prospectively 18 weeks after sending the screening invitation letter (week 0).
Intervention 2: Participation in colorectal cancer screening program among individuals who pick the test at the pharmacy18 weeksParticipation (no/yes) among those individuals who pick the screening test for colorectal cancer at the pharmacy 18 weeks after sending the screening invitation letter (week 0).
Intervention 3: Participation in breast cancer screening program8 weeksParticipation (no/yes) will be gathered prospectively 8 weeks after sending the screening invitation letter (week 0).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Incremental cost ratio18 weeksA cost-effectiveness analysis of the three interventions will be carried out. The incremental cost ratio of the interventions between cost variation and effectiveness variation will be calculated.

Countries

Spain

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 16, 2026