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Systematic Review
Ensuring that the first-degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer are properly screened is critical to reduce disease incidence and mortality rate. Tailored communication intervention is a promising method to induce health-related behavioural changes. However, evidence of the effects of tailored communication interventions on the screening rate of populations at an increased familial risk of colorectal cancer is lacking. This review aimed to identify, appraise and examine existing evidence of the effectiveness of tailored communication interventions in increasing colonoscopy screening rates amongst the first-degree relatives of people with colorectal cancer.
Four studies that adopted tailored communication interventions to increase colonoscopy screening rates were identified. Pooled analysis showed that tailored communication had a beneficial effect on improving colonoscopy use in the colorectal cancer screening context (OR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.71–2.85, p < 0.01). Furthermore, subgroup analysis showed that repeated tailored communication delivered via print plus telephone call had a significant effect on increasing colonoscopy screening rates (OR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.78–3.21, p < 0.01). The results of sensitivity analysis indicated that types of randomisation units did not influence outcomes.
Tailored communication is a beneficial approach for increasing colonoscopy screening rates amongst first-degree relatives who are at increased familial risk of colorectal cancer. The effective components of tailored communication were repeated contacts, combined verbal and written communication and important tailored variables. Future studies with rigorous designs are recommended to develop an integrated tailoring assessment decision system with the support of Internet-based communication channels.