Awareness of Colorectal Cancer and Attitudes Towards Its Screening Guidelines in Lebanon

Abstract

Background: Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) provides an effective strategy for early detection and prevention of the disease; however, global screening rates are still low. Purpose: This study aims at assessing the awareness of CRC risk factors, warning signs, and attitudes towards CRC guidelines and screening modalities, in order to identify the barriers to and correlates of CRC screening in the Lebanese population. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 371 participants in the largest health care medical center in Lebanon. A validated 12- and 9-item Cancer Awareness Measurement questionnaire was used to assess participants’ awareness of CRC risk factors and warning signs. Results: 83% and 67% of participants were not aware of CRC risk factors and warning signs, respectively, 15% have previously undergone CRC screening, 56% were aware of the necessity for screening, and 43% were willing to undergo screening. Factors affecting awareness of the necessity for CRC screening, past screening and willingness to screen included awareness of risk factors and warning signs, undergoing regular physician check-ups, having a family physician as a primary source of knowledge of CRC, and knowing a family member or friend diagnosed with CRC. Barriers to screening were related to participants’ evaluation of the screening technique and misconceptions about this disease. Conclusion: Serious active measures should be taken by health care sectors, authoritative groups, primary care physicians, and awareness campaigns to fill the gap in awareness of this disease and to alleviate the barriers and misconceptions around it.

Prevalence of Severe Depression in Iranian Women with Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

“…One of the reasons for the high incidence rate of this disease is the air pollution and stress of living in some of the cities in these regions. On the other hand, modernization of the country, which is more prominent in larger cities, not only has changed dietary habits but also has led to cultural shifts, such as the increase in the age of marriage and age at first birth, which are common risk factors for breast cancer [30].…”

Colorectal Cancer Screening in Ghana: Physicians’ Practices and Perceived Barriers

“…Implementation of an effective colorectal cancer screening program has the potential to make a significant impact on the burden of disease as many colorectal cancers are curable if detected early and preventable if excised at the pre-malignant stage [ 5 , 6 ]. Unfortunately, nationwide cancer screening efforts remain a significant challenge in Ghana, even with more prevalent diseases such as prostate, breast and cervical cancers [ 3 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Risk prediction rule for advanced neoplasia on screening colonoscopy for average-risk individuals

“…We found that age, smoking and BMI were the most important risk factors for the detection of AN. These are well established risk factors that have been used in many models of colon cancer risk with biological plausibility previously explored[ 15 , 19 ].…”

“…This is the second highest incidence rate of colorectal cancer in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region[ 14 ]. No formal study has evaluated the percentage of age-eligible patients who have received colorectal cancer screening, but one study reported a rate of 15% in an inpatient cohort aged 25 and older[ 15 ]. This makes improved enrollment in screening programs and the subsequent detection of adenomas and AN of crucial importance in Lebanon and similar regions where no national screening programs have been formally implemented.…”