Studies have shown that:
public education campaigns recruit only those most likely to attend anyway;
open-ended written invitations signed by GPs achieve uptake rates of up to 75%;
written invitations from GPs which include scheduled appointments are more effective, but not cost-effective unless overbooking is allowed;
reminder letters and second invitations to non-attenders can recruit an additional 13-21% of non-attenders, and are as effective as personal approaches, especially when supported by a letter from their GP;
tailored interventions i.e. with reference to screening history or risk assessment have no substantial impact on uptake;
ethnic groups require special attention, but the evidence for using linkworkers is unclear.
We have found nothing of significance which is not already known to the Scottish Breast Screening Programme (SBSP).