Knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices about colorectal cancer among adults in an area of Southern Italy

Alessandra Sessa,Rossella Abbate,Italo F Angelillo,Gabriella Di Giuseppe,Paolo Marinelli

doi:10.1186/1471-2407-8-171

Alessandra Sessa, Rossella Abbate + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-8-171

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Journal: BMC Cancer	Publication Date: Jun 11, 2008
Citations: 60	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"

Abstract

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer for both sexes in developed countries. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices regarding CRC of adults in Italy.MethodsA random sample of 1165 adults received a self-administered questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics; knowledge regarding definition, risk factors, and screening; attitudes regarding perceived risk of contracting CRC and utility of screening tests; health-related behaviors and health care use; source of information.ResultsOnly 18.5% knew the two main modifiable risk factors (low physical activity, high caloric intake from fat) and this knowledge was significantly associated with higher educational level, performing physical activity, modification of dietary habits and physical activity for fear of contracting CRC, and lower risk perception of contracting CRC. Half of respondents identified fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) as main test for CRC prevention and were more knowledgeable those unmarried, more educated, who knew the main risk factors of CRC, and have received advice by physician of performing FOBT. Personal opinion that screening is useful for CRC prevention was high with a mean score of 8.3 and it was predicted by respondents' lower education, beliefs that CRC can be prevented, higher personal perceived risk of contracting CRC, and information received by physician about CRC. An appropriate behavior of performing FOBT if eligible or not performing if not eligible was significantly higher in female, younger, more educated, in those who have been recommended by physician for undergo or not undergo FOBT, and who have not personal history of precancerous lesions and familial history of precancerous lesions or CRC.ConclusionLinkages between health care and educational systems are needed to improve the levels of knowledge and to raise CRC screening adherence.

Highlights

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer for both sexes in developed countries
Less than one-third (30.1%) were able to give the definition of CRC and a wide range of responses were given regarding the factors believed as potentially CRC causing
24% to 62.9% correctly identified that low physical activity and polyps were risk factors for CRC and 54.1% to 99.3% that bowel infections and fruit and vegetable intake should not be risk factors

Summary

Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer for both sexes in developed countries. Malignant neoplasms from all cancers are the second leading cause of death after heart disease and colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in each sex and the second for both sexes combined in essentially all economically developed countries (page number not for citation purposes). In the United States, it is estimated that 148,810 new cases of CRC will be diagnosed in the 2008 with 49,960 deaths [3], whereas in Italy in the period 2000–2003, there were 38,643 new cases [4] and, as regards mortality, in 2002 there were 29,734 deaths [5]. In Italy, where a population based organized screening, in which all individuals in the target group are invited to take part, is under implementation, the majority of programs employ the FOBT [7,8]

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