Improving Breast Cancer Screening Uptake Through Tailored Reminder Letters (NCT07472036) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Improving Breast Cancer Screening Uptake Through Tailored Reminder Letters
Belgium7,947 participantsStarted 2024-04-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this trial is to learn whether a culturally and linguistically tailored reminder letter can increase participation in the Flemish Breast Cancer Screening Program among women who previously did not attend screening. The study also examines whether the effect differs between socioeconomic groups.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does a tailored reminder letter increase participation among previous non-attenders?
* Does the effect differ between women with lower and higher socioeconomic status?
Researchers compare two groups:
* Intervention group: receive the standard invitation letter plus an additional tailored reminder letter.
* Control group: receive the standard invitation letter only.
Participation in screening within 40 days of the invitation is measured using the program's registry.
Participants are women aged 50-69 years who had previously been invited but had never attended screening. The reminder letter is sent as part of routine screening communication, and no additional medical procedures are involved.
Who can participate
Age range
50 Years – 69 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria
Individual-level criteria:
* Aged 50-69 years
* Legally registered as female in the Belgian national population registry
* No history of breast cancer in the previous 10 years
* No bilateral mastectomy in the previous 10 years
* Invited for mammography between April and June 2024
* Classified as a non-attender, defined as (1) having received at least one previous screening invitation, and (2) never having participated in the screening program.
Area-level criteria:
To increase the inclusion of socioeconomically vulnerable individuals while maintaining representation from the broader screening population, participants are selected from the list of individuals invited at mammographic units located in municipalities with high deprivation scores, defined as meeting at least two of the following criteria:
* Average income per capita \< EUR 20,000
* Belgian Multiple Index of Deprivation score \< 6
* Proportion of residents eligible for increased reimbursement for medical expenses \> 12%.
Exclusion Criteria
* Actively opted out of the screening program at the time of the study
* Invited for screening in the previous year
* Underwent mammographic screening in the previous year
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Screening uptake
Timeframe: Within 40 days after invitation letter is sent.