Use of digital technologies to support cancer screening in community health promotion interventions: scoping review
Luigi Costantini, Marco Del Riccio, Elisa Piccoli, Vincenzo Lavecchia, Elena Corradini, Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, Gianfranco Martucci, Glenn Lavserack
Abstract
The scoping review investigated how digital technologies have helped to increase cancer screening uptake in communities including adolescents, adults and elderly people during the COVID-19 outbreak between January 2020 and June 2021. Thirteen studies were identified as being relevant, mostly addressing underserved or minority communities with the purpose to increase screening uptake, delivering health education or investigating social and cultural barriers to cancer screening. The interventions effectively used digital technologies such as mobile apps and messengers mobile apps, messaging and Web platforms. The limitations imposed by COVID-19 on social interaction can be supported with digital solutions to ensure the continuity of cancer screening programs. However, more research is needed to clarify the exact nature of effectiveness, especially in large-scale interventions.