Psychological factors of colorectal cancer screening adherence by Hemoccult® II test

Abstract

In French people aged over 50 years, colorectal cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. For an asymptomatic population at average risk of developing this somatic disease, the test usually used is the Hemoccult II® Test, which can detect the presence of occult blood in the stool. It is clear that using this test remains today below the recommended standards despite health campaigns that encourage efficient use. Several practical reasons and socio-economic obstacles can be invoked to explain these findings. Anyway, the doctor’s recommendations against screening for colorectal cancer seem to be decisive. But fear and embarrassment may deter some patients from talking openly with their doctors about colorectal cancer and its screening. The possible role of these disturbing emotions in the adoption of cancer screening has been the subject of a growing number of researches over the past thirty years. But, it still remains very unclear whether anxiety inhibits or motivates colorectal cancer screening. To promote equal access to it, we think it is important to better describe the psychological attitudes displayed toward it, to maximize the impact of campaigns that recommend the use of the Hemoccult II® test.