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Interventions to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake in Rural Settings: A Scoping Review
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Interventions to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake in Rural Settings: A Scoping Review

Christine M Kava, Judith Lee Smith, Emily K Kobernik, Jan M Eberth, Cynthia French, Sarah H Nash, Whitney E Zahnd and Ingrid J Hall
Preventing chronic disease, v 22, pE44
17 Jul 2025
PMID: 40674655
url
https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd22.250025View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Colorectal Neoplasms - diagnosis Colorectal Neoplasms - prevention & control Early Detection of Cancer - methods Early Detection of Cancer - statistics & numerical data Humans Mass Screening Rural Population United States
An estimated 6,000 preventable cancer deaths - including from colorectal cancer (CRC) - occurred in rural America in 2022. Screening can prevent CRC or identify disease at earlier stages when it is more treatable. However, national estimates for CRC screening lag behind Healthy People 2030 objectives. In rural settings, barriers to screening are unique and persistent. We performed a scoping review to describe the types and effectiveness of interventions to increase CRC screening in primarily rural settings. We included US-based studies published during January 2010 through May 2024. Interventions were categorized according to US Community Preventive Services Task Force-recommended strategies for multicomponent interventions. Of 508 unique publications identified, 36 met inclusion criteria. Most studies were multicomponent interventions (n = 34). Most studies were associated with an increase in CRC screening uptake. The most common intervention approaches were client reminders (eg, telephone reminders about screening) (n = 25), small media (eg, pamphlets) (n = 25), and reducing structural barriers to screening (eg, patient navigation) (n = 24). Over half (n = 21) of studies reported using a theory, framework, or research approach to inform intervention development, implementation, or evaluation. Six studies (17%) included cost evaluations. The studies included in this review represented less than half of all US states. This scoping review provides insight into CRC screening intervention implementation in rural settings. The limited geographic representation of the interventions included in our review may highlight an opportunity to improve implementation and dissemination of effective CRC screening interventions in rural settings to reduce CRC incidence and death.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
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