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Changing environment as year ends
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We’re approaching the end of year 2 of our research program. We are working in a changing environment: new national guidelines now recommend screening begins at 45; a major European publication questioned the value of bowel cancer screening; new AI technology is being developed to help screening; a new national cancer action plan has been released; and new funding opportunities are available to expand our research.
Below, you will read about our progress on existing research, the development of new ideas, our international collaborations and visitors, and the new members who have joined our mission. A big thank you to everyone for your participation, and I look forward to working with you again in 2024 after a hopefully relaxing break.
Professor Mark Jenkins, BCSA Chief Investigator
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BCSA hosts world experts in cancer screening
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Clinical Professor Berit Andersen is Head of Research for Cancer Screening at Aarhus University Randers Regional Hospital, Denmark. In Australia recently, she presented a seminar for the University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research. View the webinar of it here:
Cancer Evaluation and Possible Future Improvements of Colorectal and Cervical Cancer Screening in Denmark
Another international cancer screening expert is visiting this month. Associate Professor Mette Bach Larsen is a Senior Researcher at Aarhus University Randers Regional Hospital and affiliated with the University of Southern Denmark. She holds extensive experience in conducting intervention research nested into organised cancer screening programs, and optimising participation in such programs. We’ll make available a webinar from her visit in due course.
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Doubling our understanding of cancer screening
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BCSA is collaborating with Twins Research Australia and MyBRISK Breast Cancer Screening in an innovative study of identical and non-identical twin pairs. The study comprises an online survey that asks questions relating to demographic information, and health and screening behaviours.
“By studying the differences and similarities between and within twin pairs, BCSA hopes to gain insights into people’s behaviours and attitudes towards bowel cancer screening,” BCSA Chief Investigator, Professor Mark Jenkins said.
A second phase of the study will involve qualitative interviews to generate more in-depth understanding of people who do or do not screen regularly. To date, the study has received responses from 3,921 individual twins (including 1,408 twin pairs). Recruitment is ongoing and data analysis will commence in the next month or so. Interested twins can learn more here
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New invitation letters designed to increase screening uptake
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BCSA researchers are working with the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and the Australian public to design new invitation letters to be distributed with bowel cancer screening kits.
“Our team brings expertise in health behaviour change, and we’ve consulted with 32 NBCSP invitees to co-design an improved version of the current letter,” BCSA Investigator, Dr Larry Myers said.
“The new design has been workshopped in consultation with the NBCSP and the new prototype letter is currently being designed by the NBCSP. This new letter will include aesthetic improvements, clear images and text demonstrating what the test includes and how to use it, and user-accepted messaging around risk and benefits of screening,” Dr Myers explained. “Next, we will ask 1,000 Australian adults between the ages of 45 -74 to rate and provide feedback on the current and new versions of the letter via an online survey.”
“Through community co-design and the application of behaviour change theory we hope to reduce barriers and increase bowel cancer screening participation in Australia.”
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New phase of SMARTERscreen study
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The BCSA’s SMARTERscreen study is reaching a new phase of its research into the effectiveness of sending an SMS from general practices to eligible patients, encouraging their participation in the NBCSP. Sixty-one general practices from regional and urban Victoria and Queensland have been recruited to participate in a new three-arm trial. Thanks to BCSA team members, Lyn Buchanan in Victoria and Dr Sabine Fletcher in Queensland, for this work.
The trial will test the effect on NBCSP participation of sending either (1) an SMS only or (2) an SMS with a weblink (providing video material) to patients from the recruited general practices compared to (3) the control arm where general practitioners conduct screening according to the guidelines of ‘usual care’. The SMARTERscreen protocol has been published in Trials and can be found here. The SMARTERscreen trial will start early 2024.
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Vital to maintain confidence in the national screening program
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BCSA is continuing to engage in public debate about the importance of the NBCSP following a review by Norwegian researchers that shed doubt on such programs. In a recent issue of the Australian Medical Journal’s InsightPlus, BCSA researchers explained the state of bowel cancer in Australia, how screening helps, and why it is vital to maintain public confidence in the program. The article has been distributed to 55,000 doctors via MJA InsightPlus channels.
Read the article
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Australian Government launches new national cancer plan
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The Federal Government recently released the landmark Australian Cancer Plan which aims to improve cancer outcomes for all Australians, particularly those groups whose health outcomes are poorest. It covers all cancer types, across the whole cancer journey, from prevention and early detection to treatment, recovery, and end of life care. The plan has been developed by Cancer Australia, in consultation with the states and territories, First Nations communities, clinicians, researchers, people affected by cancer, and support organisations.
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New research funding for Indigenous Australians cancer screening
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A new $5 million NHMRC Synergy Grant, to be based at the University of Queensland, aims to enhance screening and research of cancer in Indigenous Australians. “Programs to improve cancer screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are most effective when developed in partnership with Indigenous leadership and communities,” University of Queensland’s Professor Gail Garvey said. “Our aim is to co-design, co-implement and evaluate strategies to achieve equity in cancer screening for First Nations people.” BCSA will reach out to this new program to share their goals and progress and discuss any areas of potential collaboration.
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Clinical practice guidelines update for screening
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The National Health and Medical Research Council recently approved updates to the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention, Early Detection, and Management of Colorectal Cancer. Updates include a recommendation to lower the entry age for population bowel cancer screening from 50 to 45.
The Australian Government has advised it is “carefully considering the implications of lowering the eligible starting age of the NBCSP from 50 to 45 years, including the costs and flow-on effects for the broader health system.” Until the government has considered possible changes to the NBCSP:
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- It will continue to send bowel screening kits to eligible Australians aged 50-74
- People aged 45-49 can speak to their doctor (who can offer screening with a Medicare-
funded kit) or purchase a private screening kit at pharmacies or online
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Graduate research opportunities available
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Queensland’s Katelyn Collins joined BCSA as a PhD student earlier this year. “I feel incredibly lucky to have fallen into a research space that has such an applied focus and the ability to have a real-world impact on people affected by cancer,” she said. Our innovative bowel cancer screening PhD research opportunities are suited to a wide range of disciplines.
Read Katelyn’s story
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We are pleased to welcome Sandra Sursock who joined us last month as a Research Fellow - Project Officer. With a background in pharmaceutical science and clinical trials, Sandra is assisting in the BCSA’s SMARTERscreen project as well as exploring the acceptability and feasibility of artificial intelligence in cancer screening.
SMARTERscreen Investigator, Dr Tina Campbell, has been appointed an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Dr Campbell is the Managing Director of Healthily, an Australian health technology company specialising in patient education and health promotion strategy. Healthily is a BCSA industry partner and has successfully adapted technology for SMS scheduling for the SMARTERscreen project.
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Please let us know of other forthcoming conferences or events that may be of interest to our community:
SMARTERscreen Investigator Meeting
11.30am-1.00pm
7th December 2023, The University of Melbourne
Enquiries: lynb@unimelb.edu.au
Bowel Cancer Screening Alliance Investigator Annual Meeting
10.00am-4.00pm
8th December 2023, The University of Melbourne
Enquiries: lynb@unimelb.edu.au
Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine
Annual Scientific Conference
7th-9th February 2024, Adelaide
https://www.asbhm.com/asbhm2024/
World Indigenous Cancer Conference
18th-20th March 2024
Hosted by the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance, Melbourne
https://www.wicc2024.com/
Preventative Health Conference
30th April to 2nd May 2024
Hosted by the Public Health Association of Australia
https://preventioncentre.org.au/event/preventive-health-conference-2024/
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Bowel Cancer Screening Alliance
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
The University of Melbourne
207 Bouverie Street, Carlton VIC 3053
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Copyright 2023: Bowel Cancer Screening Alliance, all rights reserved.
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