What were the aims of the ASCEND2 study?

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, and the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK. Early diagnosis improves survival and in light of this the NHS established the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP). At the time of the ASCEND2 study, the BCSP offered screening using a stool testing kit (the faecal occult blood test) to 60-74 year olds in England.

The aim of the ASCEND2 study was to increase screening uptake in the BCSP and to reduce differences in uptake between socioeconomic groups, whilst ensuring that uptake does not decline in any particular socioeconomic group.