We can use high breast cancer screening participation to improve screening rates for other cancers

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-08-14 04:00

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Offering self screening tests for other cancers to women attending breast cancer screening can increase testing for less well-screened cancers, according to international research. The team say that while many women participate in screening for breast cancer, few are as diligent with testing for other cancers with a high risk of death. To leverage the success of breast cancer screening, the researchers tested an intervention where women attending breast cancer screening were offered a check-up on their screening status for cervical and colorectal cancers, and offered a self test if they were overdue. This intervention was randomly used in different breast cancer screening clinics over several months, and the researchers say participation and screening coverage increased without reducing satisfaction with the breast cancer screening process. Different strategies are still needed to get women who aren't screening for any cancers involved, the researchers say.