2020 Volume 28 Issue 1 Pages 34-43
Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of message framing on colorectal cancer screening in Japan.
Methods: The study enrolled 788 participants aged 40 to 74 years who were members of the National Health Insurance Society. The participants belonged to 26 branches/clusters, which were divided into two groups that were then provided with two kinds of leaflets with different messages. One (group A) emphasized the ease and low cost of examination, whereas the other (group B) emphasized the risk of colorectal cancer and health impact. The primary outcome was the collection rate of fecal occult blood test kits. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio of the collection rate by two different messages after adjusting for age, sex, and other potential confounders.
Results: No significant differences were seen in the age, sex and history of health checkup attendance between the two groups. The significant difference in the collection rate was not recognized (group A: 22.6%, group B: 26.0%, P=0.278). Similar results were obtained in the multivariate analysis.
Conclusion: Differences in message framing showed no distinct effects on colorectal cancer screening. However, the entire collection rate of fecal occult blood test kits in both groups increased after the distribution of leaflets. Further studies are needed to assess the effect of message framing on colorectal cancer screening.