Awareness of Colorectal Cancer Among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients at King Khalid University Hospital From 2013 to 2014

Abstract

Introduction: To assess awareness level of colorectal cancer (CRC) signs, symptoms, and risk factors among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients attending King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), and to determine factors associated with good knowledge of CRC. Methods: A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional designed study was conducted at KKUH, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2013 to 2014 using telephone interview-administered questionnaires to patients who were prospectively selected. An estimated sample of 384 was calculated using the standard equation. Patients’ confidentiality was maintained. Results: Prompted awareness of CRC symptoms and risk factors was much higher than unprompted awareness. When asked about risk factors, nearly 48% of patients could not recall any risk factors without aid. Overall, the most commonly identified risk factor for CRC unaided was IBD (27.1%) and it was followed by diet (20.5%). Out of all patients, aid was needed by over half of patients (58.4%) to recognize IBD as a risk factor. While on other hand, 14.5% couldn’t identify or didn’t know whether their own disease (IBD) is a risk factor for CRC. Conclusion: Overall level of awareness of CRC symptoms and risk factors among Saudi IBD patients was poor. However, knowledge towards CRC symptoms was observed higher than knowledge of risk factors. Customization of health-promotion programs for IBD patients is urgently needed to raise awareness of their own increased risk of developing CRC.Table 1: Patients’ Knowledge of CRC SymptomsTable 2: Patients’ Knowledge of CRC Risk Factors