Factors Influencing Colorectal Cancer Screening Participation

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health problem worldwide. Although population-based CRC screening is strongly recommended in average-risk population, compliance rates are still far from the desirable rates. High levels of screening uptake are necessary for the success of any screening program. Therefore, the investigation of factors influencing participation is crucial prior to design and launches a population-based organized screening campaign. Several studies have identified screening behaviour factors related to potential participants, providers, or health care system. These influencing factors can also be classified in non-modifiable (i.e., demographic factors, education, health insurance, or income) and modifiable factors (i.e., knowledge about CRC and screening, patient and provider attitudes or structural barriers for screening). Modifiable determinants are of great interest as they are plausible targets for interventions. Interventions at different levels (patient, providers or health care system) have been tested across the studies with different results. This paper analyzes factors related to CRC screening behaviour and potential interventions designed to improve screening uptake.

Adherence to and predictors of participation in colorectal cancer screening with faecal occult blood testing in Spain, 2009–2011

“…In our work, these factors include having a poor perception of health status, frequently visiting a physician, having one or more chronic diseases or having a mental illness. These are positively and notably associated in our study and in the majority of works published by other authors (Sewitch et al, 2007;Beydoun and Beydoun, 2008;Senore et al, 2010;Stock and Brenner, 2010;Gimeno-García et al, 2011;Gimeno-García, 2012;Carrasco-Garrido et al, 2014).…”

“…The lack of medical recommendations is one of the main obstacles revealed in other studies (Gimeno-García et al, 2011;Gimeno-García, 2012).…”

Determinants of participation in colorectal cancer screening among community-dwelling Chinese older people: Testing a comprehensive model using a descriptive correlational study

“…In fact, age, gender and education level were reported to have no association with CRC screening when psychosocial factors were also included for examination in three reviews (Gimeno-García, 2012;Guessous et al, 2010;Power et al, 2009) and local studies (Leung et al, 2012b;So et al, 2012;Sung et al, 2008). In addition, the insignificant results of household income and having a chronic disease were consistent with previous local studies (So et al, 2012;Sung et al, 2008).…”

Academic hospital staff compliance with a fecal immunochemical test-based colorectal cancer screening program

“…Similarly, in a recent study among Greek medical students it was shown that there is lack of information about CRC screening [16] . Awareness of the risk factors for CRC, signs and symptoms as well as the prognosis of the disease are all factors that can increase screening uptake [17,18] . European studies have reported low awareness about CRC compared to other cancers such as lung cancer and prostate in men and breast cancer in women [19] .…”

“…European studies have reported low awareness about CRC compared to other cancers such as lung cancer and prostate in men and breast cancer in women [19] . Low educational level has been associated with low participation rates in CRC screening programs [17] , whereas it has also been demonstrated that there is a positive association between low socio-economic status with low screening compliance rates [20] . Interestingly, the majority (55%) of employees who initially consent to be screened were at the intermediate of basic educational level (four nurses and 28 administrative/technical staff members) compared to those with high educational level (18 physicians, 4 nurses and 5 administrative/technical staff members).…”