Table 1 Studies examining the effectiveness of individual-level interventions
From: Interventions to promote cancer awareness and early presentation: systematic review
Reference | Cancer | Design | Intervention | Participants | Outcome (time of measurement) | Results | Quality of evidence (see Appendix D online ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Any cancer | RCT comparing: Individually tailored information vs General information vs No information | Tailored information delivered by post: letter tailored to individual based on knowledge and intentions. Included information on cancer symptoms (for several cancers), reasons for early detection, risk, breast and testicular self-examination, screening programmes. General information delivered by post: brochure on early detection in several cancers used by Dutch Cancer Society. | 1331 adults (mean age 47, 80% women) without cancer recruited through newspaper adverts in the Netherlands | Knowledge of cancer symptoms (range 0, 15) (3 weeks) Attitude towards paying attention to symptoms (range −3, 3) (6 months) Attitude towards seeking help for symptoms (range −3, 3) (6 months) | Higher in tailored information group vs general information group vs control (9.85 vs 9.26 vs 8.21, P<0.001) Higher in tailored information group vs general information group vs control (2.05 vs 2.05 vs 1.96, P<0.01) Higher in tailored information group vs general information group vs control (2.13 vs 2.09 vs 1.99, P<0.001) | + | |
Breast | RCT comparing: Tailored print materials vs Tailored print materials plus telephone Counselling vs Usual care | Tailored information delivered by post: booklet about breast cancer risk, risk factors and mammography tailored to individual based on responses provided during telephone call. Reinforcing newsletter 12 months later. Tailored information plus telephone counselling: As above plus two telephone calls (one after booklet and one after newsletter) from trained health advisor asking questions about booklet/newsletter content to elicit questions and concerns. | 1091 women (aged 42–57) enrolled in health insurance plan in United States | Knowledge that women aged >50 at higher risk of breast cancer than younger women (24 months) | Higher in tailored print materials plus telephone counselling group vs tailored print materials group vs usual care (32% vs 26% vs 20%, P=0.001) | + | |
Melanoma | Cluster RCT (unit of randomisation=practice) comparing: Educational vs No programme | Computer-based interactive educational programme to increase melanoma knowledge (including risk of sun exposure, how to protect skin, early signs) accessed through dedicated workstation in GP practice. | 589 adults (mean age 38, 80% women) recruited from people with 1+ risk factor for melanoma attending general practice in United Kingdom | Knowledge of how to reduce risk of melanoma, risk factors, symptoms (range 0, 12) (6 months) | Higher in programme group vs no programme group (4.12 vs 3.36, P<0.001) | Â | |
Oral | Cluster RCT (unit of randomisation=session) comparing: Leaflet vs No leaflet | Leaflet to increase knowledge of oral cancer signs, risk factors and how to detect oral cancer, given out in waiting room. | 316 adults (mean age 47, 59% women) attending dentist in United Kingdom | Knowledge of oral cancer (range 0, 36) (8 weeks) | Higher in leaflet group vs no leaflet group (30.3 vs 29.0, P<0.001) | + | |
Prostate | RCT comparing: Leaflet vs No leaflet | Leaflet to increase knowledge about risks and benefits of early prostate cancer detection and treatment delivered by post. | 550 men (mean age 72) attending a primary care centre in United States | Knowledge of natural history of untreated early prostate cancer (2 weeks) Knowledge that effectiveness of treatment in early prostate cancer is unknown (2 weeks) | No difference Higher in leaflet group vs no leaflet group (56% vs 44%, P=0.04) | + |
