Knowledge and attitudes of primary healthcare patients regarding population-based screening for colorectal cancer
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to assess the extent of knowledge of primary health care (PHC) patients about colorectal cancer (CRC), their attitudes toward population-based screening for this disease and gender differences in these respe...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2011-09-01
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| Series: | BMC Cancer |
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| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/11/408 |
| _version_ | 1818569904095232000 |
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| author | Torrent Maties Artigues Guillem Martín-Rabadán Maria Segarra Manel Cantero Xavier Cabeza Elena Esteva Magdalena Llagostera Maria Ramos Maria Taltavull Joana Vanrell Joana Marzo Mercè Llobera Joan |
| author_facet | Torrent Maties Artigues Guillem Martín-Rabadán Maria Segarra Manel Cantero Xavier Cabeza Elena Esteva Magdalena Llagostera Maria Ramos Maria Taltavull Joana Vanrell Joana Marzo Mercè Llobera Joan |
| author_sort | Torrent Maties |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to assess the extent of knowledge of primary health care (PHC) patients about colorectal cancer (CRC), their attitudes toward population-based screening for this disease and gender differences in these respects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A questionnaire-based survey of PHC patients in the Balearic Islands and some districts of the metropolitan area of Barcelona was conducted. Individuals between 50 and 69 years of age with no history of CRC were interviewed at their PHC centers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We analyzed the results of 625 questionnaires, 58% of which were completed by women. Most patients believed that cancer diagnosis before symptom onset improved the chance of survival. More women than men knew the main symptoms of CRC. A total of 88.8% of patients reported that they would perform the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) for CRC screening if so requested by PHC doctors or nurses. If the FOBT was positive and a colonoscopy was offered, 84.9% of participants indicated that they would undergo the procedure, and no significant difference by gender was apparent. Fear of having cancer was the main reason for performance of an FOBT, and also for not performing the FOBT, especially in women. Fear of pain was the main reason for not wishing to undergo colonoscopy. Factors associated with reluctance to perform the FOBT were: <b><it>(i) </it></b>the idea that that many forms of cancer can be prevented by exercise and, <b><it>(ii) </it></b>a reluctance to undergo colonoscopy if an FOBT was positive. Factors associated with reluctance to undergo colonoscopy were: <b><it>(i) </it></b>residence in Barcelona, <b><it>(ii) </it></b>ignorance of the fact that early diagnosis of CRC is associated with better prognosis, <b><it>(iii) </it></b>no previous history of colonoscopy, and <b><it>(iv) </it></b>no intention to perform the FOBT for CRC screening.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We identified gaps in knowledge about CRC and prevention thereof in PHC patients from the Balearic Islands and the Barcelona region of Spain. If fears about CRC screening, and CRC per se, are addressed, and if it is emphasized that CRC is preventable, participation in CRC screening programs may improve.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T06:53:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6abf6fc55e674095a7ee6d4d29066fd4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2407 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T06:53:47Z |
| publishDate | 2011-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Cancer |
| spelling | doaj.art-6abf6fc55e674095a7ee6d4d29066fd42022-12-21T23:12:48ZengBMCBMC Cancer1471-24072011-09-0111140810.1186/1471-2407-11-408Knowledge and attitudes of primary healthcare patients regarding population-based screening for colorectal cancerTorrent MatiesArtigues GuillemMartín-Rabadán MariaSegarra ManelCantero XavierCabeza ElenaEsteva MagdalenaLlagostera MariaRamos MariaTaltavull JoanaVanrell JoanaMarzo MercèLlobera Joan<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to assess the extent of knowledge of primary health care (PHC) patients about colorectal cancer (CRC), their attitudes toward population-based screening for this disease and gender differences in these respects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A questionnaire-based survey of PHC patients in the Balearic Islands and some districts of the metropolitan area of Barcelona was conducted. Individuals between 50 and 69 years of age with no history of CRC were interviewed at their PHC centers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We analyzed the results of 625 questionnaires, 58% of which were completed by women. Most patients believed that cancer diagnosis before symptom onset improved the chance of survival. More women than men knew the main symptoms of CRC. A total of 88.8% of patients reported that they would perform the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) for CRC screening if so requested by PHC doctors or nurses. If the FOBT was positive and a colonoscopy was offered, 84.9% of participants indicated that they would undergo the procedure, and no significant difference by gender was apparent. Fear of having cancer was the main reason for performance of an FOBT, and also for not performing the FOBT, especially in women. Fear of pain was the main reason for not wishing to undergo colonoscopy. Factors associated with reluctance to perform the FOBT were: <b><it>(i) </it></b>the idea that that many forms of cancer can be prevented by exercise and, <b><it>(ii) </it></b>a reluctance to undergo colonoscopy if an FOBT was positive. Factors associated with reluctance to undergo colonoscopy were: <b><it>(i) </it></b>residence in Barcelona, <b><it>(ii) </it></b>ignorance of the fact that early diagnosis of CRC is associated with better prognosis, <b><it>(iii) </it></b>no previous history of colonoscopy, and <b><it>(iv) </it></b>no intention to perform the FOBT for CRC screening.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We identified gaps in knowledge about CRC and prevention thereof in PHC patients from the Balearic Islands and the Barcelona region of Spain. If fears about CRC screening, and CRC per se, are addressed, and if it is emphasized that CRC is preventable, participation in CRC screening programs may improve.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/11/408Colorectal neoplasmpopulation-based screeningfecal occult blood testprimary healthcareattitudeknowledge |
| spellingShingle | Torrent Maties Artigues Guillem Martín-Rabadán Maria Segarra Manel Cantero Xavier Cabeza Elena Esteva Magdalena Llagostera Maria Ramos Maria Taltavull Joana Vanrell Joana Marzo Mercè Llobera Joan Knowledge and attitudes of primary healthcare patients regarding population-based screening for colorectal cancer BMC Cancer Colorectal neoplasm population-based screening fecal occult blood test primary healthcare attitude knowledge |
| title | Knowledge and attitudes of primary healthcare patients regarding population-based screening for colorectal cancer |
| title_full | Knowledge and attitudes of primary healthcare patients regarding population-based screening for colorectal cancer |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge and attitudes of primary healthcare patients regarding population-based screening for colorectal cancer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge and attitudes of primary healthcare patients regarding population-based screening for colorectal cancer |
| title_short | Knowledge and attitudes of primary healthcare patients regarding population-based screening for colorectal cancer |
| title_sort | knowledge and attitudes of primary healthcare patients regarding population based screening for colorectal cancer |
| topic | Colorectal neoplasm population-based screening fecal occult blood test primary healthcare attitude knowledge |
| url | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/11/408 |
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