Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
European Journal Of Oncology Nursing, cilt.16, sa.1, ss.22, 2012 (SCI-Expanded)
Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence increases in the
world. It is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading
cause of cancer death in Turkey. Ministry of Health Cancer Control
Department recently developed CRC screening guidelines and
recommends yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and colonoscopy
every 10 years for people over 50 years old. Literature consistently
indicates lack of knowledge, practice and participation to the
screening programs. Aim of this study was to evaluate awareness
about CRC, risk factors, prevention, screening and early detection
behavior among different socio-cultural and education levels.
Material and Method: This descriptive study was conducted in a
university and a Cancer Early Detection, Screening and Education
Centre (KETEM) located in Ankara, Turkey. People over 40 years old
were invited to participate and have reached total of 215 responses
(81 academic and 99 administrative staff from the university; 35
from KETEM). In the data collection, a questionnaire containing
42 questions on individuals’ socio-demographic characteristics,
their knowledge and behavior about CRC, risk factors, prevention,
screening and early detection was used. The data was analyzed
using descriptive statistics and chi-square test.
Results and Discussion: The respondents had a mean age of
49.4±8.9 years (range 40–78 years); 59.1% of them were 50 years
old and over, 51.6% women, 74.0% married, 68.9% were graduate
or post-graduate, 69.8% had low-income and 99.1% had a health
insurance.
Less than half have the knowledge on CRC (39.1%), sign and
symptoms (37.2%) and screening tests (35.6%). Only 9.3% of them
were referred by their physician to the screening; 4.6% of them
had FOBT in a preceding year and 15.3% had colonoscopy with
complaints. It was found that participants with higher education, higher income and women were having more knowledge on CRC
and screening tests.
Participants requested to receive information about prevention,
screening and early detection, sign and symptoms and risk factors
for CRC. Of them, 87.9% demanded information related prevention
and early detection of CRC via brochure in detail.
Conclusion: This study will provide guidance for developing
educational program to promote awareness of CRC prevention,
screening and early detection. Socio-cultural characteristics should
be considered when planning such program and tailored to their
needs.