Awareness and Knowledge of Colorectal Cancer in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common and deadly disease. It is the third common malignancy in the world and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Both environmental and genetic factors influence the risk of developing CRC. The clinical symptoms develop late in the course of the disease, and precursor lesions (adenomas) can be easily detected and removed. This study intends to evaluate the awareness of CRC in an Al-Qassim region and identify the (population) that can benefit from awareness and screening programs. Methods and Material: Quantitative observational, cross-sectional study using a self-administered electronic questionnaire survey was employed to include all males and females (Arabic speakers and older than 18) in the Al-Qassim region (March-June 2020). The questionnaire consisted of 13 multiple choice questions and two short answer questions in the Arabic language. The data were categorized according to gender, marital status, age, level of education, and residence to determine whether these demographic groups have a difference in Knowledge about CRC. Results: We used in the study an online distributed questionnaire, which was used before in another study. However, the assumed number needed for this study was 358; we collected 1430 responses (response rate is 400 %). In this study, the majority of the specimen was females 78 %, and 49.7 % had an age between 18 -32. the mean score of knowledge among the public in the Qassim region about CRC was 3.5573 ± 1.2664. the most symptoms related to CRC identified by the participants were blood in stool and abdominal pain, while the history of familiar CRC was the most known risk factors. The age, social status, and educational level had a significant correlation with the level of knowledge. Conclusions: Although older married individuals with higher education had more Knowledge of CRC than others, there were some misconceptions in the surveyed population regarding the function of the colon, how common the colon cancer and when they should be screened for colon cancer.

Knowledge, Awareness, and Practices toward Colorectal Cancer and Its Dietary and Lifestyle-Related Risk Factors among Jordanian University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The population's awareness of sex as a risk factor for CRC was the least known factor among the factors (33.3%), which was in line with that found by Althobaiti and Jradi (48.8%) [50] but higher than what was reported by Taha et al (20.3%) [21]. Less than two-thirds of participants were aware of the role of family history or genetics in CRC, which was more than found in a study conducted in Saudi Arabia (20.9%) [51] and less than that reported by Althobaiti and Jradi (77.59%) [50] and Saeed et al (73.5%) [18]. Participants were aware that obesity was a risk factor for CRC (Do you think that obesity is a risk factor for CRC?).…”

Colorectal Cancer in Saudi Arabia: The Way Forward

“…Despite a well-established healthcare system in KSA; diagnosis at late stages with regional and distal metastasis of up to 50% was observed in Saudi patients with CRC diagnosis (Figure 3). Insufficient Knowledge about CRC, a possible factor for late presentation, was reported among Saudi population (Alsulaim et al, 2021) In young Saudi patients with CRC, the disease presents with more advanced stages and poorly differentiated tumors than in older patients (Al-Ahwal, Alghamdi, 2005). Adenocarcinoma is the most frequent histopathological type accounted to 79.5% of CRC in Saudi males and 82% in Saudi females (Table 4).…”

Knowledge, Awareness, and Practices of University Students Toward the Role of Dietary and Lifestyle Behaviors in Colorectal Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study from Sharjah/UAE

“…In the Gulf Corporation Countries (GCC) and Middle East region, several studies have pointed out the lack of knowledge and awareness regarding CRC etiology and prevention among the general population (Su et al, 2013;Qadir and Ghalia, 2018;Al-Azri et al, 2019;Althobaiti and Jradi, 2019;Tfaily et al, 2019). A recent study from Saudi Arabia revealed moderate knowledge of the clinical manifestations and risk factors toward CRC, but a low percentage of participants acknowledged the role of fatty foods as a risk factor (AlSulaim et al, 2021). In a study among adults in the UAE, a poor knowledge score was reported among older adults (≥ 50 years old) about the risk factors and screening of CRC, while having a personal or family history of cancer was directly associated with the level of awareness (Al-Sharbatti et al, 2017).…”