Accessible health information for cancer screening programs

In the Netherlands, participation in national cancer screening programs for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer has been declining for some time. Participation is particularly low among people with limited health literacy. To address this, we are running a three-year project focused on improving the accessibility of cancer screening information. Our goal is not to convince people to take part, but to ensure that everyone—regardless of background or language ability—can make an informed choice.

🔹 Community-based outreach
We organize information sessions in neighbourhoods with low participation rates, held in community centers, mosques, and other trusted local venues. During these meetings, we explain how the cancer screenings work and answer people’s questions directly.

🔹 Training community key figures
We are investing in long-term cooperation with local key figures—such as neighbourhood-ambassadors, social workers, and volunteers. They are trained to provide health information within their communities. Their involvement is essential to build trust and help make cancer screening a topic that can be openly discussed.

🔹 Accessible educational materials
We have developed new brochures, videos, and web pages specifically designed for individuals with low health literacy. These materials are written in plain language, include visual aids, provide clear calls to action, and are available in multiple languages. They are distributed alongside the simplified invitation letters, through general practitioners, and in neighbourhoods with lower participation rates.

📺 National media attention
Recently, this project was featured prominently in national media in the Netherlands, including on the evening news, national radio, and the website of our public broadcaster. This kind of visibility reflects a broad recognition of the project’s importance. https://nos.nl/l/2568479

We invite colleagues in other countries to explore our approach, as many of the challenges we face—such as low health literacy, institutional mistrust, and language barriers—are shared internationally.
👉 Visit our multilingual information pages on the screening programs: Simply explained.