Traditional Print Communication Methods, Simple Electronic Communication Methods, or Usual Care in Increasing How Often Older Women Undergo Colorectal Cancer Screening

RATIONALE: Finding out which communication method affects a participant's decision to undergo colorectal cancer screening may help increase the number of participants who undergo screening. It is not yet known which communication method is more effective in increasing how often participants undergo colorectal cancer screening. PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying traditional print communication methods to see how well they work compared with simple electronic communication methods or usual care in increasing how often older women undergo colorectal cancer screening.

Sex

Female

Minimum age

50 Years

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* At average risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) as defined by the following criteria:

  * Asymptomatic without a personal history of colorectal polyps or cancer
  * No inflammatory bowel disease
  * No family history of familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary nonpolyposis CRC
  * No CRC in more than one first-degree relative
* Nonadherent with standard CRC screening recommendations at the time of index OB/Gyn appointment

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

* Email accessible at home and/or work
* Able to communicate with ease in English

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* Not specified

• RESULTWeinberg DS, Keenan E, Ruth K, Devarajan K, Rodoletz M, Bieber EJ. A randomized comparison of print and web communication on colorectal cancer screening. JAMA Intern Med. 2013 Jan 28;173(2):122-9. doi: 10.1001/2013.jamainternmed.1017. PMID 23128366