Public awareness of colorectal cancer in Saudi Arabia: A survey of 1070 participants in Riyadh

Abstract

Background/Aims:The aim of this study was to investigate colorectal cancer (CRC) awareness in healthy individuals in Saudi Arabia in order to identify segments of the population that would most benefit from targeted education programs.Setting and Design:Survey/questionnaire.Patients and Methods:Random, healthy individuals from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were approached to participate in a 10-question multiple choice survey about CRC. Data were analyzed by demographic criteria, including age, gender, marital status, and level of education, to determine if members of these groups displayed differential knowledge.Statistical Analysis:Differences in responses by demographic data were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-square test. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:In total, 1070 participants completed the survey. Most respondents believe that screening for colon cancer should begin at symptom onset (42.9%). Less than 20% of all respondents believe that polyps are a risk factor for CRC, which varied significantly according to level of education; however, even the most educated answered correctly less than 50% of the time. Similarly, only 34.8% of all respondents knew that a family history of CRC imparted a personal risk for CRC.Conclusions:Although older individuals and those with higher education tended to answer questions correctly more often, there were some misconceptions regarding universally accepted screening protocols, symptoms, and general understanding of CRC in Saudi Arabia. A national education/screening program in Saudi Arabia is recommended to improve CRC knowledge.

Awareness of Colorectal Cancer Among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital: An Epidemiological Study.

“…Our results were in disagreement with a couple of studies including alocal study among the general public that revealed a better awareness of CRC symptoms among women. 5,12 The fact that Saudi men in our study showed higher awareness is encouraging especially that previous studies have also shown that CRC is more common among Saudi males. 17,18 Older patients showed higher knowledge of symptoms than younger patients especially in bleeding per rectum and fatigue, they have also shown better knowledge in some risk factors like obesity which is reassuring because they are at higher risk and in need to correctly recognize these symptoms and risk factors.…”

“…12 The most recalled symptom of CRC without prompt by Saudi patients was abdominal pain. Likewise, a Malaysian study among rural population reported that abdominal pain was the most frequent symptom identified unaided and the second most agreed symptom of CRC from prompted question.…”

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11] These findings were also consistent with the data of another study, which showed that the level of CRC knowledge among the Saudi general public was low, thus signifying the necessity of continuing public education and screening programs. 12 Furthermore, the lack of awareness was not only reported among the general public, but even more among patients following up in thegastroenterology clinics and the peripheral colorectal surgical unit. 13,14 This issue needs to be taken seriously since it has been demonstrated that blurred recognition of CRC susceptibly among high-risk groups does exist.…”

Assessment of Awareness Levels toward Colorectal Cancer Early Detection and Prevention in Saudi Arabia

“…Less than 20% of all respondents believe that polyps are a risk factor for CRC, which varied significantly according to level of education; however, even the most educated answered correctly less than 50% of the time. Similarly, only 34.8% of all respondents knew that a family history of CRC imparted a personal risk for CRC [27]. In another study included 371 participants, of whom 52%, 86% and 60%, didn't hear about early screening of CRC didn't perform screened of CRC and didn't know where to screen for colorectal cancer, respectively.…”

“…The study concluded that although older individuals and those with higher education tended to answer questions correctly more often, there were some misconceptions regarding universally accepted screening protocols, symptoms, and general understanding of CRC in Saudi Arabia. A national education/ screening program in Saudi Arabia is recommended to improve CRC knowledge [26].…”