Effect of Messaging on Support for Breast Cancer Screening Cessation Among Older US Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Abstract
Many older women are screened for breast cancer beyond recommended guidelines. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a message on older women’s support for and intentions of stopping breast cancer screening.
Intervention
A pilot-tested breast cancer screening cessation message was delivered to a hypothetical older woman with serious illnesses and functional impairment. The message was attributed to 1 of 3 sources: clinician, news story, or family member. Participants were divided into 4 groups to assess the message’s effect.
Main Outcomes and Measures
The study evaluated support for stopping screening in the hypothetical older woman and screening intentions for oneself. The message showed significant impact on screening cessation support and intentions, especially when delivered from multiple sources over time.
Conclusions and Relevance
This trial demonstrated that a breast cancer screening cessation message significantly increased older women’s support for and intentions of screening cessation, particularly when delivered from multiple sources over time. The findings highlight the potential of multilevel messaging strategies to influence screening behavior.
