EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERVENTIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF ONCOLOGICAL DISEASES

Abstract

Objective. To review the results of the effectiveness evaluation of interventions for the prevention of oncological diseases in individuals with an increased risk of oncological diseases.
Methods. A literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. The PubMed database was searched for articles published in English language between 2019 and 2025. Studies evaluating interventions focused on lifestyle changes and improvement of health literacy among individuals at increased cancer risk, oncological patients, and their caregivers were included. This article presents the results of studies assessing interventions specifically targeting individuals at increased oncological risk.
Results. A total of 36 publications were identified, of which 7 studies evaluating intervention effectiveness in individuals at increased cancer risk were included in this analysis. The most common lifestyle interventions for this target group were based on behavior change theories and included educational activities, individual counseling, and patient navigation. The effectiveness of digital, visual, gamified, and motivational tools was also assessed. Post-intervention outcomes included short-term behavior changes, increased participation in preventive screening programs, and improved knowledge and awareness. In most studies, the strongest effects were observed within the first 3–6 months after the intervention, while long-term effects were limited or not assessed.
Conclusions. Lifestyle interventions targeting individuals at increased risk of cancer were most effective when they focused on reducing cancer risk factors, promoting participation in preventive screenings, and improving health literacy. Interventions tailored to individual risk perception and delivered with professional support showed greater effectiveness. The use of digital, visual, and gamified tools further enhanced intervention outcomes.