Using Patient Navigation to Promote Bowel Screening in AAA Attendees.
This study aims to find out if a short conversation with a healthcare professional during a routine scan for a swelling in the main blood vessel of the tummy (called an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, or AAA) can encourage more men to get tested for bowel cancer. Bowel cancer screening can find problems early, but not everyone takes part. Researchers want to see if this 'patient navigation' chat is effective in getting men aged 65 and over, who haven't recently done their bowel screening, to complete a test kit within three months. They will also check if this approach is easy for clinics to offer and acceptable to patients receiving the information. The study will take place in several NHS centres across England.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Bowel cancer is a serious illness, but finding it early can make a big difference. In England, there's a free test kit that you can do at home every two years to check for early signs of bowel cancer. However, not everyone who receives a kit actually does the test, especially men.
There's a separate NHS scan for men aged 65 and over to check for something called an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) – which is a swelling in the main blood vessel in your tummy. This study wants to see if we can use the opportunity of this AAA scan appointment to gently remind and encourage men who haven't done their bowel cancer screening to take part. The idea is that a healthcare professional would simply have a brief chat with you about bowel screening during your AAA appointment.
The main aim of this study is to discover if this simple chat actually leads to more men completing their bowel cancer screening kit within three months. The researchers also want to find out if this approach is practical for AAA screening services to offer routinely, and if men find it helpful and comfortable to talk about bowel screening during their appointment. This study is important because if this approach works, it could help save more lives by increasing early detection of bowel cancer.
Key takeaways
- This study explores a new way to encourage bowel cancer screening.
- It involves a short chat during your routine AAA scan appointment.
- The goal is to see if this conversation helps more men get screened.
- Your participation is just the conversation itself.
- It's about early detection of a serious health condition.
- It aims to make screening more accessible and effective.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, you need to be a man aged 65 or older. You must be attending an NHS appointment for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) scan. Crucially, you should not have completed your most recent home bowel cancer screening test.
Also, you need to be willing to talk about bowel cancer screening with the healthcare professional during your AAA appointment. If you don't meet these requirements, or if your AAA scan shows a positive result for an aneurysm, you won't be able to take part in this particular study.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you a man aged 65 or older?
- Do you have an upcoming AAA screening appointment?
- Have you NOT completed your most recent NHS bowel cancer screening test?
- Are you willing to have a short chat about bowel screening during your AAA appointment?
What does participation involve?
If you take part in this study, the main thing that will happen is that during your routine AAA screening appointment, the healthcare professional will have a short conversation with you about bowel cancer screening. They will likely ask if you've completed your latest screening kit and offer information or encouragement to do so if you haven't.
After your appointment, the researchers will check if you completed a bowel screening kit within the next three months. There will also be some surveys and interviews, but these will be with the healthcare staff who delivered the talks, and some patients might be asked to provide feedback on their experience, although this is separate from the main intervention. The total duration of your direct participation is just the length of that conversation during your AAA appointment.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS TrustVerified postcodeLeicester, United Kingdom
Common questions
What is an AAA scan?
It's a quick, painless ultrasound scan to check for a swelling (aneurysm) in the main blood vessel in your tummy. It's offered to men aged 65 and over.
What is bowel cancer screening?
It's a free NHS test kit sent to your home every two years to check for tiny amounts of blood in your poo, which can be an early sign of bowel cancer.
Will this study change my AAA appointment?
No, your AAA scan will happen as normal. The study simply adds a brief chat about bowel cancer screening to your appointment.
Do I have to take the bowel screening test if I talk about it?
No, the choice to complete the bowel screening test is entirely yours. The conversation is just to provide information and encouragement.
Will my information be kept private?
Yes, all your information will be handled confidentially and used only for the purposes of this study, protecting your privacy.
How to find out more
Elizabeth Bailey
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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