Traditional Print Communication Methods, Simple Electronic Communication Methods, or Usual Care in Increasing How Often Older Women Undergo Colorectal Cancer Screening

OBJECTIVES:

• Compare traditional print versus simple electronic communication versus usual care, in terms of increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates, in average-risk women attending a routine OB/Gyn visit.
• Explore the moderating role of attentional style and background variables on the impact of the interventions in these participants.
• Determine the mediating effect of potential cognitive-affective factors related to CRC screening in these participants.
• Investigate the comparative cost-effectiveness of these interventions to improve CRC screening adherence.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Participants are randomized to 1 of 3 screening arms.

• Arm I: Participants are contacted by simple electronic communication methods by an email message linked to a personalized website.
• Arm II: Participants are contacted by traditional print communication methods.
• Arm III: Participants are observed (usual care). Participants in arms I and II are randomized a second time to receive messages about colorectal cancer screening that are matched or mismatched to their attentional style.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 5,000 participants will be accrued for this study.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• At average risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) as defined by the following criteria:

• Asymptomatic without a personal history of colorectal polyps or cancer
• No inflammatory bowel disease
• No family history of familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary nonpolyposis CRC
• No CRC in more than one first-degree relative
• Nonadherent with standard CRC screening recommendations at the time of index OB/Gyn appointment

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Email accessible at home and/or work
• Able to communicate with ease in English

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• Not specified