Knowledge and Perception toward Colorectal Cancer Sreening in East of Iran

Background Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in Iran and its early detection is necessary. This study is based on perception of people in the east of Iran toward CRC screening.   Methods In a cross-sectional study, ۱۰۶۰ randomly selected individuals who referred to Razavi Hospital of Mashhad, Iran, between September the ۱st, ۲۰۱۲ and February the ۲۸th, ۲۰۱۳ as patients or their visitors involved in an interview to fill a questionnaire on CRC screening.   Results The participants’ age ranged from ۴۰ to ۸۸ years (mean= ۵۵). More than ۹۰% had no knowledge of CRC and screening tests. The most cited reasons for not having screening tests were “did not have any problem” and “did not think it was needed”. Although, older people had more knowledge of CRC (P= ۰.۰۳۳), there was no relationship between gender, health insurance status, family history of individuals and their knowledge about CRC (P> ۰.۰۵۰). Employment, education and higher income had positive effect on the perception of people toward CRC screening (P< ۰.۰۵۰).   Conclusion Lack of knowledge in people in lower socio-economical class with limited literacy is the most important barrier to CRC screening. As such, designing educational programs involving physicians and media is important to improve CRC screening rates.

Keywords:

Colorectal Neoplasms , Early Detection of Cancer , Knowledge , East of Iran