Mass ScreeningM-TICSNCT04343950
SMS Messaging as a Tool to Improve Cancer Screening Programs
A study testing SMS reminders to enhance colorectal cancer screening, SMS reminders to return the fecal immunochemical test at the pharmacy in CRC screening: and Invitation by SMS to previous participants in breast cancer screening: in people with Mass Screening and Colorectal Cancer, run by Institut Català d'Oncologia at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
The aim of this project is to assess the impact on health and economics of the implementation of text messaging (SMS) in cancer screening programs. Three interventions with SMS will be evaluated through community trials. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 50 to 69 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Mass Screening, Colorectal Cancer, Breast Cancer
- What is being tested?
- SMS reminders to enhance colorectal cancer screening, SMS reminders to return the fecal immunochemical test at the pharmacy in CRC screening: and Invitation by SMS to previous participants in breast cancer screening:
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 44,601 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 5 Jun 2021to 31 Dec 2022
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 50 to 69 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Eligible individuals for colorectal cancer screening (intervention 1 and 2)
- Eligible women for breast cancer screening (intervention 3)
- Registered at the HealthCare Database (RCA)
Who cannot join
- Individuals without a mobile phone number registered at the RCA
- Opt out from breast cancer screening and/or colorectal cancer screening
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Spain1 site
Institut Català d'Oncologia
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, 08908
About this study
Official title: Implementation of Text Messaging (SMS) as an Improvement Tool in Population-based Cancer Screening Programs
The aim of this project is to assess the impact on health and economics of the implementation of text messaging (SMS) in cancer screening programs. Three interventions with SMS will be evaluated through community trials. In the colorectal cancer screening program the following interventions will be tested: a) Participation reminder: six weeks after sending the invitation letter of the colorectal cancer program if there has not been a response, a reminder SMS will be sent in front of the usual method by letter; b) Reminder to return the fecal occult blood test: SMS reminder of test delivery versus no intervention. This reminder will be sent to the individuals who have gone to the pharmacy to pick up a fecal occult blood test and they have not returned it after 14 days. The impact on participation will be analyzed and, if applicable, the proportion of advanced neoplasms will be calculated by increase in participation. In the breast cancer screening program, the invitation by SMS versus the usual invitation by letter will be studied in women who had participated in the previous screening round. The impact on participation will be analyzed. A cost-effectiveness analysis of the three interventions will be carried out. The incremental cost ratio of the interventions between cost variation and effectiveness variation will be calculated.
Read the detailed description
Main Hypothesis:
The implementation of SMS in population-based cancer screening programs will improve participation, especially in colorectal cancer screening, will allow a better resource management and reduce costs in both programs.
Specific Hypothesis:
Sending the reminder SMS will have an impact on participation greater than that obtained with the standard reminder (letter) in the colorectal cancer screening program.
The effect of the colorectal cancer screening reminder SMS will be greater among the individuals who have been invited for the first time and not previous participants.
Participation after receiving the invitation by SMS in breast cancer screening will be equal to or better than the letter invitation.
The alternative that includes sending SMS will be cost-effective in relation to the current alternative that you use postal shipping.
- Conditions
- Mass Screening, Colorectal Cancer, Breast Cancer
- Being tested
- SMS reminders to enhance colorectal cancer screening, SMS reminders to return the fecal immunochemical test at the pharmacy in CRC screening:, Invitation by SMS to previous participants in breast cancer screening:
- Keywords
- Uptake, Participation, Cost-effectiveness, Breast cancer screening, Colorectal cancer screening, Text-message, Mobile-health
- Medical subject headings
- Colorectal Neoplasms, Breast Neoplasms
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
SMS reminders to enhance colorectal cancer screeningBehavioural
Also called Intervention 1
Individual randomization will be used. Individuals assigned to the experimental arm with a wrong phone number will get a reminder letter (protocol analysis).
SMS reminders to return the fecal immunochemical test at the pharmacy in CRC screening:Behavioural
Also called Intervention 2
Individual randomization will be used. Individuals with a wrong phone number assigned to the experimental arm will not get any reminder (protocol analysis).
Invitation by SMS to previous participants in breast cancer screening:Behavioural
Also called Intervention 3
Individual randomization. Women assigned to the experimental arm and with a wrong phone number will get an invitation letter (protocol analysis).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention 1: SMS reminders in colorectal cancer screening | Experimental | SMS reminders will be sent to individuals who received an invitation letter from Colorectal Cancer Screening Program and haven't participated within 6 weeks. Receives: Behavioral: SMS reminders to enhance colorectal cancer screening |
| Usual Care 1: Reminder letter in colorectal cancer screening | Active comparator | Reminder letters will be sent to individuals who received an invitation letter from the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program and haven't participated within 6 weeks. Receives: Behavioral: SMS reminders to enhance colorectal cancer screening |
| Intervention 2: SMS reminders to return the screening test | Experimental | SMS reminders will be sent to individuals who picked the fecal immunochemical test at the pharmacy and haven't returned it within 14 days. Receives: Behavioral: SMS reminders to return the fecal immunochemical test at the pharmacy in CRC screening: |
| Usual Care 2: No intervention | Active comparator | No reminders will be sent. Receives: Behavioral: SMS reminders to return the fecal immunochemical test at the pharmacy in CRC screening: |
| Intervention 3: SMS invitation among prior participants | Experimental | Invitation by SMS will be sent to women who previously participated in the Breast Cancer Screening Program. Receives: Behavioral: Invitation by SMS to previous participants in breast cancer screening: |
| Usual Care 3: Invitation letter | Active comparator | Letter invitations will be sent. Receives: Behavioral: Invitation by SMS to previous participants in breast cancer screening: |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Intervention 1: Participation in colorectal cancer screening program
Participation (no/yes) will be gathered prospectively 18 weeks after sending the screening invitation letter (week 0).
Measured: 18 weeks
Intervention 2: Participation in colorectal cancer screening program among individuals who pick the test at the pharmacy
Participation (no/yes) among those individuals who pick the screening test for colorectal cancer at the pharmacy 18 weeks after sending the screening invitation letter (week 0).
Measured: 18 weeks
Intervention 3: Participation in breast cancer screening program
Participation (no/yes) will be gathered prospectively 8 weeks after sending the screening invitation letter (week 0).
Measured: 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Incremental cost ratio
A cost-effectiveness analysis of the three interventions will be carried out. The incremental cost ratio of the interventions between cost variation and effectiveness variation will be calculated.
Measured: 18 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Apr 2020
- Study start5 Jun 2021
- Primary completion31 Oct 2022
- Study completion31 Dec 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Mass ScreeningStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Intervention 1: SMS reminders for colorectal cancer screening compared to reminder letters. Intervention 2: SMS reminders to return the fecal occult blood test at the pharmacy compared to no intervention. Intervention 3: Invitation by SMS for women with a prior participation in the breast cancer screening program compared to invitation letter.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 44,601 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Institut Català d'Oncologia
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Dundee, University of Barcelona, University Rovira i Virgili
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Montse Garcia, PhD, Principal investigator, Institut Català d'Oncologia
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04343950
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ICO_UCC_202001
- Other IDs
- PI19/00226
- Acronym
- M-TICS
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 9 Apr 2020
- Last updated
- 24 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Vives N, Farre A, Ibanez-Sanz G, Vidal C, Binefa G, Mila N, Perez-Lacasta MJ, Travier N, Benito L, Espinas JA, Bagaria G, Garcia M. Text messaging as a tool to improve cancer screening programs (M-TICS Study): A randomized controlled trial protocol. PLoS One. 2021 Jan 22;16(1):e0245806. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245806. eCollection 2021.
PubMed 33481914Vives N, Binefa G, Travier N, Farre A, Panera JA, Casas B, Vidal C, Ibanez-Sanz G, Garcia M; M-TICS research group. Text Messaging Versus Postal Reminders to Improve Participation in a Colorectal Cancer Screening Program: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2025 Jan 1;13:e64243. doi: 10.2196/64243.
PubMed 39742454Vives N, Vidal C, de Guzman EN, Farre A, Panera JA, Binefa G, Garcia M; M-TICS research group. The use of text messages as an alternative invitation method for breast cancer screening: A randomized controlled trial (M-TICS study). PLoS One. 2024 Aug 29;19(8):e0306720. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306720. eCollection 2024.
PubMed 39208325Vives N, Travier N, Farre A, Binefa G, Vidal C, Perez Lacasta MJ, Ibanez-Sanz G, Nino de Guzman EP, Panera JA, Garcia M; M-TICS Research Group. Effectiveness and Acceptability of Targeted Text Message Reminders in Colorectal Cancer Screening: Randomized Controlled Trial (M-TICS Study). JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2024 Jul 31;10:e57959. doi: 10.2196/57959.
PubMed 39083331
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Implementation of Text Messaging (SMS) as an Improvement Tool in Population-based Cancer Screening Programs
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04343950
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- M-TICS / ICO_UCC_202001
- Conditions
- Mass Screening, Colorectal Cancer, Breast Cancer
- Keywords
- Uptake, Participation, Cost-effectiveness, Breast cancer screening, Colorectal cancer screening, Text-message, Mobile-health
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 44,601 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Institut Català d'OncologiaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Dundee, University of Barcelona, University Rovira i Virgili
- Study start
- 5 Jun 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Oct 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 14 Apr 2020 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of this project is to assess the impact on health and economics of the implementation of text messaging (SMS) in cancer screening programs. Three interventions with SMS will be evaluated through community trials. In the colorectal cancer screening program the following interventions will be tested: a) Participation reminder: six weeks after sending the invitation letter of the colorectal cancer program if there has not been a response, a reminder SMS will be sent in front of the usual method by letter; b) Reminder to return the fecal occult blood test: SMS reminder of test delivery versus no intervention. This reminder will be sent to the individuals who have gone to the pharmacy to pick up a fecal occult blood test and they have not returned it after 14 days. The impact on participation will be analyzed and, if applicable, the proportion of advanced neoplasms will be calculated by increase in participation. In the breast cancer screening program, the invitation by SMS versus the usual invitation by letter will be studied in women who had participated in the previous screening round. The impact on participation will be analyzed. A cost-effectiveness analysis of the three interventions will be carried out. The incremental cost ratio of the interventions between cost variation and effectiveness variation will be calculated.
Detailed description
Main Hypothesis:
The implementation of SMS in population-based cancer screening programs will improve participation, especially in colorectal cancer screening, will allow a better resource management and reduce costs in both programs.
Specific Hypothesis:
Sending the reminder SMS will have an impact on participation greater than that obtained with the standard reminder (letter) in the colorectal cancer screening program.
The effect of the colorectal cancer screening reminder SMS will be greater among the individuals who have been invited for the first time and not previous participants.
Participation after receiving the invitation by SMS in breast cancer screening will be equal to or better than the letter invitation.
The alternative that includes sending SMS will be cost-effective in relation to the current alternative that you use postal shipping.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 6
- Model description
- Intervention 1: SMS reminders for colorectal cancer screening compared to reminder letters. Intervention 2: SMS reminders to return the fecal occult blood test at the pharmacy compared to no intervention. Intervention 3: Invitation by SMS for women with a prior participation in the breast cancer screening program compared to invitation letter.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention 1: SMS reminders in colorectal cancer screening | Experimental | Behavioral: SMS reminders to enhance colorectal cancer screeningSMS reminders will be sent to individuals who received an invitation letter from Colorectal Cancer Screening Program and haven't participated within 6 weeks. |
| Usual Care 1: Reminder letter in colorectal cancer screening | Active comparator | Behavioral: SMS reminders to enhance colorectal cancer screeningReminder letters will be sent to individuals who received an invitation letter from the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program and haven't participated within 6 weeks. |
| Intervention 2: SMS reminders to return the screening test | Experimental | Behavioral: SMS reminders to return the fecal immunochemical test at the pharmacy in CRC screening:SMS reminders will be sent to individuals who picked the fecal immunochemical test at the pharmacy and haven't returned it within 14 days. |
| Usual Care 2: No intervention | Active comparator | Behavioral: SMS reminders to return the fecal immunochemical test at the pharmacy in CRC screening:No reminders will be sent. |
| Intervention 3: SMS invitation among prior participants | Experimental | Behavioral: Invitation by SMS to previous participants in breast cancer screening:Invitation by SMS will be sent to women who previously participated in the Breast Cancer Screening Program. |
| Usual Care 3: Invitation letter | Active comparator | Behavioral: Invitation by SMS to previous participants in breast cancer screening:Letter invitations will be sent. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 50 to 69 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Eligible individuals for colorectal cancer screening (intervention 1 and 2)
- Eligible women for breast cancer screening (intervention 3)
- Registered at the HealthCare Database (RCA)
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Individuals without a mobile phone number registered at the RCA
- Opt out from breast cancer screening and/or colorectal cancer screening
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| SMS reminders to enhance colorectal cancer screeningAlso: Intervention 1Individual randomization will be used. Individuals assigned to the experimental arm with a wrong phone number will get a reminder letter (protocol analysis). | Behavioural | Intervention 1: SMS reminders in colorectal cancer screening, Usual Care 1: Reminder letter in colorectal cancer screening |
| SMS reminders to return the fecal immunochemical test at the pharmacy in CRC screening:Also: Intervention 2Individual randomization will be used. Individuals with a wrong phone number assigned to the experimental arm will not get any reminder (protocol analysis). | Behavioural | Intervention 2: SMS reminders to return the screening test, Usual Care 2: No intervention |
| Invitation by SMS to previous participants in breast cancer screening:Also: Intervention 3Individual randomization. Women assigned to the experimental arm and with a wrong phone number will get an invitation letter (protocol analysis). | Behavioural | Intervention 3: SMS invitation among prior participants, Usual Care 3: Invitation letter |
Primary outcome
Intervention 1: Participation in colorectal cancer screening program
Time frame: 18 weeks
Participation (no/yes) will be gathered prospectively 18 weeks after sending the screening invitation letter (week 0).
Intervention 2: Participation in colorectal cancer screening program among individuals who pick the test at the pharmacy
Time frame: 18 weeks
Participation (no/yes) among those individuals who pick the screening test for colorectal cancer at the pharmacy 18 weeks after sending the screening invitation letter (week 0).
Intervention 3: Participation in breast cancer screening program
Time frame: 8 weeks
Participation (no/yes) will be gathered prospectively 8 weeks after sending the screening invitation letter (week 0).
1 secondary outcome
Incremental cost ratio
Time frame: 18 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Sep 2025.
- Background: PubMed 33481914Vives N, Farre A, Ibanez-Sanz G, Vidal C, Binefa G, Mila N, Perez-Lacasta MJ, Travier N, Benito L, Espinas JA, Bagaria G, Garcia M. Text messaging as a tool to improve cancer screening programs (M-TICS Study): A randomized controlled trial protocol. PLoS One. 2021 Jan 22;16(1):e0245806. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245806. eCollection 2021.
- Results publication: PubMed 39742454Vives N, Binefa G, Travier N, Farre A, Panera JA, Casas B, Vidal C, Ibanez-Sanz G, Garcia M; M-TICS research group. Text Messaging Versus Postal Reminders to Improve Participation in a Colorectal Cancer Screening Program: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2025 Jan 1;13:e64243. doi: 10.2196/64243.
- Results publication: PubMed 39208325Vives N, Vidal C, de Guzman EN, Farre A, Panera JA, Binefa G, Garcia M; M-TICS research group. The use of text messages as an alternative invitation method for breast cancer screening: A randomized controlled trial (M-TICS study). PLoS One. 2024 Aug 29;19(8):e0306720. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306720. eCollection 2024.
- Results publication: PubMed 39083331Vives N, Travier N, Farre A, Binefa G, Vidal C, Perez Lacasta MJ, Ibanez-Sanz G, Nino de Guzman EP, Panera JA, Garcia M; M-TICS Research Group. Effectiveness and Acceptability of Targeted Text Message Reminders in Colorectal Cancer Screening: Randomized Controlled Trial (M-TICS Study). JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2024 Jul 31;10:e57959. doi: 10.2196/57959.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Montse Garcia, PhD principal investigator
Institut Català d'Oncologia
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing SMS reminders to enhance colorectal cancer screening, SMS reminders to return the fecal immunochemical test at the pharmacy in CRC screening: and Invitation by SMS to previous participants in breast cancer screening: in people with Mass Screening and Colorectal Cancer, run by Institut Català d'Oncologia at 1 site in Spain.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Intervention 1: Participation in colorectal cancer screening program (time frame: 18 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04343950, which also lists 4 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Sep 2025.