A systematic review of special events to promote breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening in the United States
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Special events are common community-based strategies for health promotion. This paper presents findings from a systematic literature review on the impact of special events to promote breast, cervical or colorectal cancer education and screening. METHODS: Articles in English that focused on special events involving breast, cervical, and/or colorectal cancer conducted in the U.S. and published between January 1990 and December 2011 were identified from seven databases: Ovid, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstract, Cochrane Libraries, and EconLit. Study inclusion and data extraction were independently validated by two researchers. RESULTS: Of the 20 articles selected for screening out of 1,409, ten articles on special events reported outcome data. Five types of special events were found: health fairs, parties, cultural events, special days, and plays. Many focused on breast cancer only, or in combination with other cancers. Reach ranged from 50-1732 participants. All special events used at least one evidence-based strategy suggested by the Community Guide to Preventive Services, such as small media, one-on-one education, and reducing structural barriers. For cancer screening as an outcome of the events, mammography screening rates ranged from 4.8% to 88%, Pap testing was 3.9%, and clinical breast exams ranged from 9.1% to 100%. For colorectal screening, FOBT ranged from 29.4% to 76%, and sigmoidoscopy was 100% at one event. Outcome measures included intentions to get screened, scheduled appointments, uptake of clinical exams, and participation in cancer screening. CONCLUSIONS: Special events found in the review varied and used evidence-based strategies. Screening data suggest that some special events can lead to increases in cancer screening, especially if they provide onsite screening services. However, there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that special events are effective in increasing cancer screening. The heterogeneity of populations served, event activities, outcome variables assessed, and the reliance on self-report to measure screening limit conclusions. This study highlights the need for further research to determine the effectiveness of special events to increase cancer screening.
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Awareness-promotion at special events such as fairs or charity walks is more effective if it provides onsite screening.
“Awareness-promotion at special events such as fairs or charity walks are more effective if they provide onsite screening [41].”
From Improving cancer screening uptake: A behavioural and cultural insights perspective and rapid review (2026) · cites this paper as [41]
The Discussion says onsite screening can facilitate cancer screening at special events. But the Conclusions say there is insufficient evidence that special events promote screening, and the review does not establish that events with onsite screening are more effective than those without it. (LLM, conf=0.88)
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Palsola, M., Likki, T., Snijders, V., Corbex, M., Lasierra, L., & Curtis, B. (2026) · Glasnik javnog zdravlja · doi:10.5937/serbjph2601086p
- Authors
- Escoffery, C., Rodgers, K. C., Kegler, M. C., Haardörfer, R., Howard, D. H., Liang, S., Pinsker, E., Roland, K. B., Allen, J. D., Ory, M. G., Bastani, R., Fernandez, M. E., Risendal, B. C., Byrd, T. L., & Coronado, G. D.
- Affiliations
- Emory University (US)
- University of Minnesota (US)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
- Tufts University (US)
- Texas A&M University (US)
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Texas Tech University (US)
- Kaiser Permanente (US)
- Corresponding author
- Escoffery, Cam
- ORCID
- Venue
- BMC Public Health
- Published
- 2014-03-24
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 274-274
- ISSN
- 1471-2458 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3987802
- OpenAlex
- W2086781557
- Cited by
- 41
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3
- FWCI
- 0.68
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- BMC Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
- eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- OakTrust (Texas A&M University Libraries) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Emory University
- Harvard University
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U48DP001949, U48DP001934, U48DP001924, U48DP001938, U48DP001909)
- U.S. Public Health Service (U48D001946)
- National Cancer Institute (U48DP001938, U48DP001949)
- National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (U48DP001949, U-48-DP-001938, U48DP001934, U48 DP001909, U48DP001924)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Women's cancer prevention and management
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Health Promotion and Cardiovascular Prevention
- Keywords
- special events, cancer screening, breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, colorectal cancer screening, health fairs, community health promotion, mammography, Pap smear, fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, screening uptake
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anniversaries and Special Events, Breast Neoplasms, Uterine Cervical Neoplasms, Female, Health Promotion, Humans, Mass Screening, Middle Aged, United States, Colorectal Neoplasms, Early Detection of Cancer
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