Increasing compliance with colorectal cancer screening: the development of effective health education

Abstract

The ability of a health education leaflet to raise awareness of the frequency of colorectal cancer and its asymptomatic nature and to increase intention to participate in screening with faecal occult blood testing (FOBT) was investigated. One hundred subjects were interviewed before and after reading the leaflet. The number of men stating bowel cancer was 'very common' increased significantly from 20 to 60% (chi 2 = 16.7, P < 0.0001) and those understanding its asymptomatic nature form 64 to 92% (chi 2 = 11.4, P < 0.001). The leaflet significantly increased the percentage of women reporting bowel cancer as 'very common' from 30 to 70% (chi 2 = 16.0, P < 0.0001) and as being asymptomatic from 58 to 94% (chi 2 = 17.8, P < 0.0001). After reading the leaflet, 55% of men who initially declined screening reversed their decision (chi 2 16.5, P < 0.0001) and 50% of female non-adherers reversed their decision (chi 2 = 17.3, P < 0.0001). Reasons most frequently given for declining colorectal cancer screening were feeling well (77% of subjects declining), concern about further tests (38%), unpleasantness of FOBT (13%) and illness (6%). This leaflet successfully educates people about colorectal cancer and increased intention to participate in screening programmes.

Evaluation of the walk-through inflatable colon as a colorectal cancer education tool: results from a pre and post research design

“…Comparing the effectiveness of this intervention for improved CRC awareness or knowledge with other intervention methods is difficult as there is no shared pre- post-test. However, Meade et al [23, 32] reports 23-26% score improvements following a CRC educational session using booklets or videotapes, and Hart et al [41] using leaflets doubled the number of individuals with correct responses.…”

Missed opportunities in educating Aboriginal Australians about bowel cancer screening: Whose job is it anyway?

“…Adequate, accurate knowledge allows individuals to make informed decisions regarding their health and can facilitate behaviour change and participation in screening (Hart, Barone, & Mayberry, 1997;McMichael, Kirk, Manderson, Hoban, & Potts, 2000;Menon et al, 2008). The beliefs and attitudes of ethnically diverse groups towards cancer and cancer screening can differ from mainstream populations, and are important to consider when devising strategies for facilitating behaviour change (Shahid & Thompson, 2009;Treloar et al, 2013).…”

Knowledge and socio-demographic factors about colorectal cancer screening: cross sectional analysis the west of Iran

“…Sex has been mentioned as a variable impacting the individuals' knowledge of the warning signs of cancer in several studies in a way that compared with men; women have a higher knowledge on the aforementioned signs (28)(29)(30)(31). Regarding colorectal cancer, Hart too points out that knowledge of colorectal cancer is more in women (31).…”

“…Regarding colorectal cancer, Hart too points out that knowledge of colorectal cancer is more in women (31). The reasons for the difference in knowledge level among men and women includes the different views of the disease among them; in men's view preventive measures such a controlling different aspects of lifestyle, avoiding facing risk factors for cancer and protective measures such as visiting a physician in the case of observing a warning sign of cancer are less important (16).…”