Randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of a targeted cancer awareness intervention for adults living in deprived areas of the UK

Moriarty, Yvonne ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7608-4699, Lau, Mandy ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5894-570X, Sewell, Bernadette, Trubey, Rob, Quinn-Scoggins, Harriet ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6136-070X, Owen, Sioned, Padgett, Louise, Kolovou, Vasiliki, Hepburn, Julie, Buckle, Peter, Playle, Rebecca ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2989-1092, Townson, Julie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8679-3619, Robling, Michael ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1004-036X, Gilbert, Stephanie, Dimitropoulou, Polyxeni, Edwards, Adrian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6228-4446, Mitchell, Caroline, Matthews, Maura, Smits, Stephanie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7897-150X, Wood, Fiona ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7397-4074, Neal, Richard D., Brain, Kate ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9296-9748 and team, ABACus study 2021. Randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of a targeted cancer awareness intervention for adults living in deprived areas of the UK. British Journal of Cancer 125 , pp. 1100-1110. 10.1038/s41416-021-01524-5

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Abstract

Background Cancer outcomes are poor in socioeconomically deprived communities, with low symptom awareness contributing to prolonged help-seeking and advanced disease. Targeted cancer awareness interventions require evaluation. Methods This is a randomised controlled trial involving adults aged 40+ years recruited in community and healthcare settings in deprived areas of South Yorkshire and South-East Wales. Intervention: personalised behavioural advice facilitated by a trained lay advisor. Control: usual care. Follow-up at two weeks and six months post-randomisation. Primary outcome: total cancer symptom recognition score two weeks post-randomisation. Results Two hundred and thirty-four participants were randomised. The difference in total symptom recognition at two weeks [adjusted mean difference (AMD) 0.6, 95% CI: −0.03, 1.17, p = 0.06] was not statistically significant. Intervention participants reported increased symptom recognition (AMD 0.8, 95% CI: 0.18, 1.37, p = 0.01) and earlier intended presentation (AMD −2.0, 95% CI: −3.02, −0.91, p < 0.001) at six months. “Lesser known” symptom recognition was higher in the intervention arm (2 weeks AMD 0.5, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.97 and six months AMD 0.7, 95% CI: 0.16, 1.17). Implementation cost per participant was £91.34, with no significant between-group differences in healthcare resource use post-intervention. Conclusions Improved symptom recognition and earlier anticipated presentation occurred at longer-term follow-up. The ABACus Health Check is a viable low-cost intervention to increase cancer awareness in socioeconomically deprived communities.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine Centre for Trials Research (CNTRR)
Additional Information:	This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Publisher:	Springer Nature
ISSN:	0007-0920
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	6 September 2021
Date of Acceptance:	11 August 2021
Last Modified:	11 Oct 2023 19:48
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/143896

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