The effects of colorectal cancer screening on health attitudes and practices.

The purpose of this study is to establish whether a negative screening result leads to complacency about health and poorer health practices. Participants were 3535 older adults, ages 55–64 years, taking part in the United Kingdom Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Trial. They were sent postal questionnaires before and after screening attendance. Eating fruit and taking exercise were both rated as more important after screening than before, whereas ratings for the importance of avoiding fatty foods and attending cervical and breast cancer screening did not change. Fruit and vegetable intake increased, exercise increased, and smoking rates decreased from before to after screening. Changes in diet, exercise, and smoking were not significantly related to screening outcome. These findings provide reassurance that screening does not lead to a less healthy lifestyle in the short term and could be used as a context in which to promote positive health behavior change.