Effect of Remote Counseling on Screening Uptake in the First-Degree Relatives of Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Remote counseling has been used to facilitate the uptake of colorectal cancer screening in the first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients, but a comprehensive evaluation of such an intervention remains lacking.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of remote counseling and its effect on the first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients.

Methods: Eight English databases and 3 Chinese databases were searched from their inception to June 2024. Gray literature and the reference lists of the included studies were also examined. Randomized controlled trials conforming to the inclusion and exclusion criteria were screened and extracted. All meta-analyses were performed with Review Manager 5.3.

Results: Five studies with 2601 first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients were included in this systematic review. Meta-analysis showed that remote counseling could significantly increase the colorectal cancer screening rate (relative risk, 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.46-1.86; P < .01). Among interventions of this kind, mailing tailored printing materials demonstrated a beneficial effect (relative risk, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-2.03; P < .01). However, evidence that remote counseling could improve knowledge of and health beliefs about colorectal cancer and screening was limited.

Conclusion: Remote counseling had a positive effect on colorectal cancer screening uptake in the first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients.

Implications for practice: The first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients have an increased risk of developing the disease. Remote counseling is an effective intervention for improving their screening rate. However, more rigorous theory-driven randomized controlled trials are needed to determine an optimal intervention program.