An SMS-Based Intervention Approach for Enhancing Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer screening participation is suboptimal and below established targets among the elderly. This study aims to evaluate the impact of an SMS-based reminder system on CRC screening participation and knowledge levels among individuals aged 50-70.
Methods: This non-randomized controlled trial was conducted between December 2025 and April 2026 in Kırklareli, Türkiye, involving 298 individuals aged 50–70. Participants were allocated into two distinct cohorts: the SMS intervention group (n = 149) and the control group (CG, n = 149). The intervention group received daily educational SMS prompts regarding the significance of cancer prevention and screening protocols over a 10-day period, while the CG received standard care. Data was collected both before and 3 months after the intervention, using a questionnaire that included two parts (sociodemographic characteristics and stages of change for cancer screening practices) Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square tests to evaluate group differences and binary logistic regression to identify independent predictors of screening behavior.
Results: Post-intervention, the SMS group’s screening rate significantly rose to 56.4% (n = 84) compared to 32.2% (n = 48) in the control group (p < 0.001), representing a 24.2% absolute increase. Logistic regression identified the SMS intervention as a strong predictor, increasing participation odds by 2.72 times. Additionally, a significant shift in the ‘Stages of Change’ was observed only in the SMS group, marking a transition from awareness to active screening (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: The results demonstrate that a structured SMS-based intervention serves as a highly effective, low-cost, and scalable strategy for enhancing colorectal cancer screening adherence among older adults.
Key messages: • SMS-based reminders are a cost-effective and powerful tool for public health nurses to significantly boost colorectal cancer screening uptake among individuals aged 50–70.
• The implementation of SMS-mediated reminders effectively addresses disparities in screening access, ensuring higher participation rates across the geriatric demographic
Related
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BibTeX
@article{kutman2026smsbased,
title = {{An SMS-Based Intervention Approach for Enhancing Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates}},
author = {H Kutman and Ç Cerit},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1070},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1070},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - An SMS-Based Intervention Approach for Enhancing Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates
AU - H Kutman
AU - Ç Cerit
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1070
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1070
AB - Background: Colorectal cancer screening participation is suboptimal and below established targets among the elderly. This study aims to evaluate the impact of an SMS-based reminder system on CRC screening participation and knowledge levels among individuals aged 50-70. Methods: This non-randomized controlled trial was conducted between December 2025 and April 2026 in Kırklareli, Türkiye, involving 298 individuals aged 50–70. Participants were allocated into two distinct cohorts: the SMS intervention group (n = 149) and the control group (CG, n = 149). The intervention group received daily educational SMS prompts regarding the significance of cancer prevention and screening protocols over a 10-day period, while the CG received standard care. Data was collected both before and 3 months after the intervention, using a questionnaire that included two parts (sociodemographic characteristics and stages of change for cancer screening practices) Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square tests to evaluate group differences and binary logistic regression to identify independent predictors of screening behavior. Results: Post-intervention, the SMS group’s screening rate significantly rose to 56.4% (n = 84) compared to 32.2% (n = 48) in the control group (p < 0.001), representing a 24.2% absolute increase. Logistic regression identified the SMS intervention as a strong predictor, increasing participation odds by 2.72 times. Additionally, a significant shift in the ‘Stages of Change’ was observed only in the SMS group, marking a transition from awareness to active screening (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results demonstrate that a structured SMS-based intervention serves as a highly effective, low-cost, and scalable strategy for enhancing colorectal cancer screening adherence among older adults. Key messages: • SMS-based reminders are a cost-effective and powerful tool for public health nurses to significantly boost colorectal cancer screening uptake among individuals aged 50–70. • The implementation of SMS-mediated reminders effectively addresses disparities in screening access, ensuring higher participation rates across the geriatric demographic
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -