Organised population-based cancer screening aims to identify pre-cancerous lesions or cancer at an earlier stage, thereby reducing mortality, and, where possible, cancer incidence. The success of organised cancer screening depends on achieving high uptake. However, screening is often suboptimal, particularly in older individuals and lower socio-economic groups. Research now points to the value of investigating information processing factors (defensiveness, reactance and thinking style) in the decision to accept or reject screening invitations.
In partnership with Ireland’s National Screening Service, this research project will investigate the role of thinking style, defensive information processing and psychological reactance in screening uptake in Irelands three organised population-based cancer screening programmes (CervicalCheck, BreastCheck and BowelScreen) in order to inform the design of interventions to improve uptake. Using these findings, a potential exemplar will be co-designed, which can be the focus of future trials to increase cancer screening uptake.
Methods: The project comprises 5 work-packages (WP). WP1 will systematically review evidence on interventions targeting defensive information processing, thinking style and psychological reactance aimed at screening behaviours. WP2 (quantitative surveys) and WP3 (qualitative cognitive interviews) involve primary data collection to understand the role of thinking style, defensive information processing and psychological reactance in screening uptake. WP4 will involve co-design workshops where evidence and contextual factors will be considered in designing a potential intervention to increase uptake. WP5 will convene a screening research seminar bringing all interested stakeholders together to share learning and explore possibilities for future collaboration and networking.
Implications: This research programme will have the potential to yield significant benefits for the health service, population and society as a whole by contributing to achieving the ultimate goals of cancer screening, namely increasing early-stage detection and reducing cancer mortality via increased screening uptake.
