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Evaluation of Letters Promoting Colorectal Cancer Testing

NCT04548765 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 14644

Last updated 2021-09-24

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

In this evaluation, 4 different versions of letters are being sent with mailers promoting colorectal cancer screening with an at-home test. The researchers hypothesize that the use of behavioral nudges in the message should lead to increased colorectal cancer screening (either with the at-home test or a colonoscopy).

Conditions

  • Cancer Colorectal

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Letter

Recipients receive a letter promoting CRC screening.

BEHAVIORAL

Loss Frame and Fear Appeals

The letter is enhanced with language that frames the situation in terms of losses. It also uses fear appeals by showing the risks of colorectal cancer, while also showing that screening is an achievable means to address those risks.

BEHAVIORAL

Transparency

The letter explains why the kit was sent, which makes the purposes of the mailing clear to the recipient.

BEHAVIORAL

Default Effect and Presentation of Alternatives

The pros and cons for screening with FIT kits and colonoscopy are presented. By showing an additional option, the table frames the FIT kit as the default option (since they are included in the mailer). In this situation, inaction is no longer the default option. Changing the default option increases the chance that the FIT kit is used. In addition, another viable alternative is provided (colonoscopy), which still contributes to the goal of the project (getting screened).

BEHAVIORAL

Enhanced Fear Appeals and Decoy Effect

Comparisons of the mortality rates between screening with FIT kits, colonoscopy, and inaction (waiting for symptoms to appear) are displayed. Inaction is presented as a decoy, which has worse outcomes than either of the screening options. Due to this contrast, the inclusion of the decoy increases the appeal of the other screening options.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Geisinger Clinic

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Amir Goren, PhD · Geisinger Clinic

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SCREENING
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2020-07-24
Primary Completion
2021-01-24
Completion
2021-07-23

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT04548765 on ClinicalTrials.gov