Invitation to cervical cancer screening does increase participation in Germany: Results from the MARZY study. Issue 5 (13th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Radde, Kathrin; Gottschalk, Andrea; Bussas, Ulrike; Schülein, Stefanie; Schriefer, Dirk; Seifert, Ulrike; Neumann, Anne; Kaiser, Melanie; Blettner, Maria; Klug, Stefanie J.
• Is Part Of: International journal of cancer. Volume 139:Issue 5(2016:Sep. 01)
• Page Start: 1018
• Page End: 1030
• Publication Date: 2016-05-13
• Subjects: randomized cohort study -- uterine cervical neoplasm -- early detection of cancer -- participation -- invitation letter; Cancer -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Prevention -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30146
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7136

Abstract

Abstract : The effect of different invitation models on participation in cervical cancer screening (CCS) was investigated in a randomized population‐based cohort study in Germany. Participants were randomly selected via population registries and randomized into intervention Arm A (invitation letter) and Arm B (invitation letter and information brochure) or control Arm C (no invitation). The intervention and control arms were compared with regard to 3‐year participation and the two invitation models were compared between intervention arms. Of the 7, 758 eligible women aged 30–65 years, living in the city of Mainz and in the rural region of Mainz‐Bingen, 5, 265 were included in the analysis. Differences in proportions of women attending CCS were investigated and logistic regression was performed to analyze various factors influencing participation. In the intervention group, 91.8% participated in CCS compared to 85.3% in the control group ( p < 0.0001), with a 6.6 percentage point increase in participation [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.6–8.6] and an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.69 (95% CI 2.15–3.37). Effect estimators increased to 21.9 percentage points (95% CI 16.7–27.1) and an OR of 3.64 (95% CI 2.74–4.82), respectively, when women who participated in screening annually were excluded from the analysis. The invitation letter was particularly effective among women with lower school education, migrant women and older women. No difference in participation was found between the intervention Arm A and Arm B. An accompanying information brochure did not motivate more women to undergo CCS. However, a written invitation statistically significantly increased participation in CCS in Germany. Abstract : What's new? The success of organized cervical cancer screening (CCS) programs depends on the regular participation of eligible women. In Germany, however, where an organized screening program is under development, CCS participation rates vary, and how best to improve them in the coming years remains unclear. This study of women in Mainz and rural Mainz‐Bingen shows that three‐year CCS participation rates increase significantly when women receive personalized letters inviting them to undergo CCS. The invitation letter was especially effective for groups at high risk of nonparticipation in CCS, including women with lower education, migrant women, and older women.