Actively Recruiting
Impact of SMS Notifications on the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program
Led by Corporacion Parc Tauli · Updated on 2026-06-05
10084
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
13 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
C
Corporacion Parc Tauli
Lead Sponsor
U
Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Colorectal cancer is a major cause of death in Catalonia, and early detection programs using the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) help reduce both incidence and mortality. However, the success of these programs depends on high participation rates, which currently stand at 42% in the Vallès Occidental region, below the recommended 65%. This trial aims to evaluate whether sending reminder text messages can increase participation in the screening program. The study is a randomized controlled trial involving 10,084 participants aged 50 to 69 years in the Vallès Occidental region. All participants receive an initial invitation letter at week 0. Those who do not participate by week 5 are randomly assigned to either receive a reminder SMS or follow the standard care of receiving a postal reminder letter at week 6. Participation is followed up at 3 and 6 months after the initial invitation. Participants will be monitored for completion of the FIT test, with primary measurement of participation rates at 3 and 6 months. Secondary measures include the time taken to participate and the number of postal reminders sent. Data on sex, age, and previous participation will also be analyzed. The study involves no masking and uses a secure platform for SMS delivery, with participation monitored through the colorectal cancer screening program's procedures.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Impact of SMS Messaging on Participation in Colorectal Cancer Screening.
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Women and men aged 50 to 69 years
- Residents of the Vallès Occidental area
- Invited to the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program (PDPCCR) who have not participated within 5 weeks of the initial invitation
You will not qualify if you...
- Personal history of colorectal cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Colorectal polyps requiring specific clinical follow-up
- Hereditary polyposis syndromes
- High-risk family history of colorectal cancer: a first-degree relative diagnosed before age 50, or two or more first-degree relatives at any age
- Severe morbidity that precludes the performance of a colonoscopy in the event of a positive test result
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or remote) to determine eligibility based on age, residency, and prior participation status
Duration - Week 0 to Week 5
Participants receive a standard invitation letter to participate in the colorectal cancer screening program by completing a fecal immunochemical test (FIT).
No visits; participants receive mailed invitation and may complete FIT at community pharmacies
Duration - Week 5 to Week 6
Participants who have not participated by Week 5 receive either a reminder SMS (Intervention Group) or continue without additional contact (Control Group) until Week 6.
1 SMS reminder sent to participants (Intervention Group only)
Duration - Week 6
Participants who remain non-responsive after Week 5 receive a postal reminder letter to encourage completion of the FIT.
1 postal reminder letter sent
Duration - Up to 6 months after initial invitation
Final participation is evaluated at 3 and 6 months after the initial invitation to assess completion of the screening test and response time.
No visits; participation tracked remotely through test completion records
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Unitat de Cribratge de Cáncer, Consorci Corporació Sanitaria Parc Taulí
Sabadell, Catalonia, Spain, 08208
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Anna Selva Olid, PhD
M
Marina Lleal Custey, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Number of Arms
2
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