Helping people engage with colorectal cancer screening information

Interventions to Decrease Cancer Information Avoidance

NIH-funded research State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11312741

This project uses short videos to help adults who tend to avoid cancer information pay attention to and act on colorectal cancer screening messages.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionState University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Amherst, United States)
Project IDNIH-11312741 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, you'll watch short, carefully designed videos that aim to reduce defensive reactions and boost feelings of control and positive emotions. The project randomly assigns adults to one of two video approaches and measures who pays attention and how engaged they become. You'll complete brief surveys and have follow-up contacts to track changes in screening intentions and any screening behavior. The videos were developed from theory and a pilot with 710 people that improved confidence and intentions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults aged 21 or older who tend to avoid health information and are overdue or uncertain about colorectal cancer screening are the best fit.

Not a fit: People who are already up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening or who do not need screening are unlikely to benefit from these videos.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help more people who avoid cancer information get screened for colorectal cancer earlier.

How similar studies have performed: A pilot study of 710 people showed improved self-efficacy and screening intentions, but a larger randomized trial is needed to show effects on actual screening behavior.

Where this research is happening

Amherst, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancer ControlCancer Control ScienceCancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.