Texts and EHR nudges aim to close the breast cancer screening gap
NCT ID NCT06177795
First seen Jul 06, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether simple nudges—like text message reminders for patients and automatic mammogram orders for doctors—can increase breast cancer screening among women aged 40 to 74 who are overdue for a mammogram. The trial involves over 21,000 women at two health systems. Some participants receive text reminders to schedule their mammogram, while their doctors get a pre-filled order in the electronic health record. The goal is to see if these gentle pushes help more women complete screening within three to six months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- text message reminders and electronic health record prompts
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could provide a simple, scalable way to boost breast cancer screening rates, catching cancers earlier and saving lives.
- What could go wrong
- The trial tests behavioral nudges, not a new medical treatment, so the impact may be modest. Results depend on how well patients and clinicians respond to reminders, and may not apply to all healthcare settings.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
21,123 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Dec 2023
- Finished
-
Apr 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
40 to 74 years
- Sex
-
Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: All patients must meet the following criteria to be eligible: 1. Women between 40 and 74 years of age 2. A scheduled new or return (non-urgent/sick) primary care visit at one of the study practices (Penn Trial) or with one of the study primary care providers (UH Trial) 3. Are overdue and eligible for a mammogram per Health Maintenance 4. Does not have a future scheduled mammogram appointment For the Penn Trial patient intensification nudge, at least one of the following criteria must be met to be considered high risk and randomized to receive the intensification nudge: 1. Medicare Insurance 2. Medicaid Insurance 3. No EHR patient portal account 4. Zero log-ins to EHR patient portal in the previous year Exclusion Criteria: Patients will be excluded from the study if: 1. History of bilateral mastectomy 2. Have a mammogram exclusion modifier in Health Maintenance 3. Have no phone number (home or mobile) listed in their chart (Penn Trial only)
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Breast cancer are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals
Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States
-
University of Pennsylvania Health System
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a common steroid shield breast cancer patients from a dangerous drug side effect?
- Tiny magnetic seeds could guide surgeons to the right lymph node
- New PET tracer aims to light up hidden cancer targets
- Gut bacteria supplement tested against chemo hair loss
- Can a mindfulness program boost Self-Compassion in breast cancer survivors?
- Can a Decades-Old Anti-Inflammatory drug quiet the joint pain that drives women off breast cancer therapy?