Interventions to promote colorectal cancer screening among people with a family history of colorectal cancer: A scoping review

Abdul Malik Tun Firzara; Hooi Chin Beh; Christine Shamala Selvaraj; Christian Mallen; Chirk Jenn Ng; Yew Kong Lee

doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.108137

Interventions to promote colorectal cancer screening among people with a family history of colorectal cancer: A scoping review

Prev Med. 2024 Sep 12:108137. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.108137. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Abdul Malik Tun Firzara¹, Hooi Chin Beh², Christine Shamala Selvaraj³, Christian Mallen⁴, Chirk Jenn Ng⁵, Yew Kong Lee⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Medicine, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK. Electronic address: tun.firzara@ummc.edu.my.
² Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: hcbeh@ummc.edu.my.
³ Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: christine@ummc.edu.my.
⁴ Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore. Electronic address: c.d.mallen@keele.ac.uk.
⁵ Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Department of Research, SingHealth Polyclinics, Singapore 150167, Singapore. Electronic address: ng.chirk.jenn@singhealth.com.sg.
⁶ Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: leeyk@um.edu.my.

PMID: 39277034
DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.108137

Abstract

Background: The global incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is rising, with people having a family history of CRC (PFH-CRC) facing double the risk compared to the average-risk population. Despite this, CRC screening uptake among PFH-CRC remains low. There is a lack of systematic mapping of interventions promoting CRC screening in this high-risk population.

Objective: We conducted a scoping review to identify the types of interventions targeting PFH-CRC, their effectiveness in increasing CRC screening uptake, and the elements associated with the outcomes.

Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping review was followed. The search for eligible articles was conducted from the inception of each database until 17 July 2024 in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycINFO and Web of Science with no restrictions on language.

Results: Thirty studies from 1995 to 2023 across 13 countries were included; mostly from high-income countries. There was considerable variability in study design, intervention characteristics, and screening outcomes. Eleven studies used theoretical frameworks in intervention development. Fourteen studies reported statistically significant increases in screening uptake among PFH-CRC, most using complex, multiple-component interventions. Tailored print materials and patient navigation more consistently demonstrated increased screening uptake, while counselling yielded mixed results.

Conclusion: Interventions for promoting CRC screening uptake in PFH-CRC commonly incorporate print material, patient navigation and counselling, often combined into complex interventions. Future research should include more implementation studies to translate these interventions into real-world settings. Additionally, there are gaps in research from low- and middle-income countries, highlighting the need for further research in these resource-limited settings.

Keywords: Colorectal neoplasms; Early detection of cancer; Health promotion; Preventive health services; Review.

Publication types

Review