Communication-based strategies to curb the overuse of low-value cancer screening.

This study investigates three communication strategies to reduce the overuse of low-value thyroid cancer screening among South Korean women, drawing on the theory of reasoned action, protection motivation theory, and theories of regret. The strategies tested were: (a) highlighting negative affective consequences of screening, (b) providing information about diagnostic uncertainty, and (c) using a noncancer disease label ("borderline thyroid neoplasm" instead of "thyroid cancer"). Results showed that affective messaging and diagnostic uncertainty information decreased screening intention by reducing positive attitudes and anticipated regret about not screening, respectively, while the noncancer label lowered perceived severity and indirectly reduced screening intention. The study emphasizes the role of emotions and risk perceptions in screening decisions and suggests that tailored communication addressing affective and uncertainty-related factors may help align public preferences with evidence-based guidelines in contexts of low-value cancer screening.