Awareness of gastrointestinal tract malignancies among the population of Lublin province (Eastern Poland) - A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Currently, malignancies are the most severe medical problems worldwide. Numerous, already known risk factors in carcinogenesis could be potentially avoided. Some cancer risk factors have been recognized and have become the targets of primary prophylaxis.

Objective: The aim of the study was to ascertain the state of knowledge about risk factors, primary prevention and early detection of malignancies of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in the urban and rural population of the Lublin province in Eastern Poland.

Material and methods: The study was cross-sectional. The originally designed questionnaire was applied to the group of 1,352 patients, representatives of both the rural and urban environments of the Lublin province during random appointments with their general practitioner (GP).

Results: The study showed low awareness of the issues connected with GIT malignancies within the studied group. The problem was particulary apparent in the rural population.

Conclusions: In order to raise general awareness of cancer, different means should be applied in urban and rural populations. GPs and the media were found to have the leading rols in the promotion of primary prevention.