What is this project about?

The aim of this mixed methods research program is to support older people to make informed decisions about continuing or stopping cancer screening beyond recommendations. We conducted systematic reviews to understand the factors influencing decision-making of older people and clinicians, as well as qualitative studies to understand views and experiences in the Australian setting.  

We are now co-designing resources for older women to explain the upper age of breast cancer screening invitations, aiming to support women aged 70-74 years to make an informed choice about continuing or stopping breast screening beyond 74 years. We aim to ensure these resources are equitable, evidence-based, and scalable for translation into policy and practice, so all older women are provided the opportunity to make an informed choice. To do this, we will work with older women including those from culturally and linguistically diverse groups, BreastScreen service staff and other multidisciplinary groups to refine our interventions, and also develop more detailed decision support for those who need it (e.g., patient decision aid).

Led by: Dr Jenna Smith