Level of Information and Awareness About Colorectal Cancer and Its Screening Program in Türkiye: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has high mortality if it is detected in advanced stages, persons can lower their risk of CRC by adopting a healthy lifestyle that may lead to prevention. Screening is the most powerful public health tool to reduce mortality, considering the challenges of making substantial lifestyle changes or implementing widespread primary prevention strategies to lower the risk of CRC. This study aims to find out the levels of information and awareness about CRC and its screening program in individuals living in Türkiye.

Design: This study was a community-based cross-sectional.

Sample: This study was performed from November 2019 to November 2022 with a web-based survey circulated through social media and communication platforms. The research was conducted with 4146 participants.

Measurements: The "Survey Form" was used in the data collection. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used in the data analysis.

Results: The study found that 43.3% of participants had information about CRC and its screening program. Among all participants, 94.7% had never undergone CRC screening, and 55.6% were aware of a CRC awareness month. The study also revealed that participants who were knowledgeable about CRC screening were more likely to have a family history of cancer, a personal history of cancer, prior awareness of CRC, and previous information about the disease. Additionally, they were more likely to have undergone CRC screening before and to believe that CRC screening is necessary.

Conclusion: It was found that the majority of participants had no information on CRC and its screening program and never underwent CRC screening before. More studies should be performed to find out the factors negatively affecting the participation of individuals in the CRC screening program.