Knowledge and attitudes of primary healthcare patients regarding population-based screening for colorectal cancer
verfasst von:
Maria Ramos, Maria Llagostera, Magdalena Esteva, Elena Cabeza, Xavier Cantero, Manel Segarra, Maria Martín-Rabadán, Guillem Artigues, Maties Torrent, Joana Maria Taltavull, Joana Maria Vanrell, Mercè Marzo, Joan Llobera
The aim of this study was to assess the extent of knowledge of primary health care (PHC) patients about colorectal cancer (CRC), their attitudes toward population-based screening for this disease and gender differences in these respects.
Methods
A questionnaire-based survey of PHC patients in the Balearic Islands and some districts of the metropolitan area of Barcelona was conducted. Individuals between 50 and 69 years of age with no history of CRC were interviewed at their PHC centers.
Results
We analyzed the results of 625 questionnaires, 58% of which were completed by women. Most patients believed that cancer diagnosis before symptom onset improved the chance of survival. More women than men knew the main symptoms of CRC. A total of 88.8% of patients reported that they would perform the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) for CRC screening if so requested by PHC doctors or nurses. If the FOBT was positive and a colonoscopy was offered, 84.9% of participants indicated that they would undergo the procedure, and no significant difference by gender was apparent. Fear of having cancer was the main reason for performance of an FOBT, and also for not performing the FOBT, especially in women. Fear of pain was the main reason for not wishing to undergo colonoscopy. Factors associated with reluctance to perform the FOBT were: (i)the idea that that many forms of cancer can be prevented by exercise and, (ii)a reluctance to undergo colonoscopy if an FOBT was positive. Factors associated with reluctance to undergo colonoscopy were: (i)residence in Barcelona, (ii)ignorance of the fact that early diagnosis of CRC is associated with better prognosis, (iii)no previous history of colonoscopy, and (iv)no intention to perform the FOBT for CRC screening.
Conclusion
We identified gaps in knowledge about CRC and prevention thereof in PHC patients from the Balearic Islands and the Barcelona region of Spain. If fears about CRC screening, and CRC per se, are addressed, and if it is emphasized that CRC is preventable, participation in CRC screening programs may improve.
The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2407-11-408) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors' contributions
MR, EC, ME, JMT, JMV, JL and GA designed the study; MR and ML led development of the projects in the Balearic Islands and Barcelona, respectively; MMR, XC, MS, and MT coordinated study work in their respective areas. MR and ME performed the statistical analysis, and MR drafted the manuscript. ME, EC, MM, MMR, XC, MS, GA, MT, JMT, JMV, JL and ML critically reviewed the draft and approved the final manuscript.
Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant health problem in developed countries, both because of its high incidence and because it is accompanied by high mortality. An epidemiological analysis of all cancers in Spain indicated that CRC had the highest incidence and the second highest mortality rate for both genders. Every year, approximately 25,600 new cases of CRC are diagnosed [1] and, in 2008, 10,604 patients died from CRC (4,630 men and 5,974 women) (INEbase). An epidemiological study indicated that the incidence of CRC in Spain is increasing, but mortality therefore is declining [2].
CRC is one of the few types of cancer for which both primary and secondary prevention are possible. With respect to secondary prevention, the evidence strongly indicates that population-based screening using the fecal occult blood test (FOBT), and colonoscopy if FOBT results are positive, reduces both the incidence of and mortality from CRC [3]. Participation of a large proportion (more than 50%) of the population in testing is crucial for the success of screening programs [4]. Thus, it is necessary to ensure widespread compliance before implementation of a CRC screening program.
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The Theory of Reasoned Action indicates that intention to participate in a CRC screening program overlaps with the Theory of Planned Behavior, the most proximal determinant of participation [5, 6]. Intention to participate is associated with a positive attitude toward screening, and knowledge of both CRC and cancer screening in general is an important prerequisite if a positive attitude toward CRC screening is to develop [7]. The knowledge of the general population about CRC is currently poor [7, 8], and gender differences in attitudes toward CRC screening are apparent [9, 10].
In Spain, a National Cancer Strategy promotes the development of population screening programs for CRC, and several regions are currently implementing such programs. No program has yet been implemented in the Balearic Islands (located in the western Mediterranean Sea) whereas, in Catalonia, after completion of a pilot study, a program will soon be extended to the entire region.
The present work is part of a more comprehensive project that aims to assess the knowledge and attitudes of primary health care (PHC) professionals [11] and patients toward CRC screening. In particular, the present study is exploratory in nature, and precedes implementation of a population-based CRC screening program in the Balearic Islands. The present work was performed during implementation of a CRC screening program in Barcelona. We assessed the extent of knowledge of PHC patients about CRC, their attitudes toward population-based screening for this disease and gender differences in these respects. A secondary objective was to identify factors that might support the use of FOBT and colonoscopy in the context of CRC population-based screening
Methods
Design
This was a cross-sectional descriptive study based on a survey of adult patients visiting PHCs in the Balearic Islands (which had 1,014,405 inhabitants in 2007) and in the southern metropolitan area of Barcelona (with 1,275,679 inhabitants in 2007).
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Study population
Patients 50 to 69 years of age who visited PHCs for any reason from January to June 2009 were included. Patients with a diagnosis of CRC or who had a terminal illness were excluded. In both areas, sample size was calculated assuming that 50% of PHC patients would participate in a population-based screening program. Using a confidence level of 95% and a precision of 5%, the estimated sample size was 384 patients for each area. Systematic sampling of participant nurse quotas was used. The first patient (and his/her companion) scheduled to be visited on Tuesdays and Thursdays in participant nurses' agendas were invited to participate in the study if they met inclusion criteria.
Data collection
We developed a questionnaire based on literature review [7, 8, 12‐15]. In December 2008, we performed a pilot study by administering the questionnaire to 20 patients in one healthcare center. As a result, the wording and/or format of some questions were/was modified. Between January and June 2009, 30 nurses in the Balearic Islands and 29 nurses in Barcelona administered the final questionnaire during patient visits. All participants signed informed consent agreements.
This study was approved by the Primary Health Care Research Committee, the Balearic Islands Ethics Committee for Clinical Research, and the Ethics Committee of the Primary Care Research Institut IDIAP Jordi Gol.
Variables
The questionnaire explored the following variables: sociodemographics; lifestyle (tobacco consumption, daily fruit and vegetable consumption, extent of physical exercise); history of chronic health problems, intestinal polyps, and cancer; use of PHC services; knowledge about cancer and CRC; past experience with cancer screening (mammography, cytology, FOBT, colonoscopy, prostate-specific antigen [PSA] measurement, and computed tomography [CT]); attitudes toward FOBT as a CRC screening tool and toward colonoscopy if an FOBT is positive; reasons for performing or not performing an FOBT; and rationales for undergoing or not undergoing colonoscopy. With respect to variables exploring knowledge and attitudes, the possible responses were: "I agree", "I disagree", or "I do not know". Questions on performance or non-performance of FOBT or colonoscopy were posed in multiple-choice format.
Statistical analysis
Answers to questionnaires were recorded in a in a Microsoft Access database using Teleform 4.0 for Windows. We determined the frequencies of all qualitative variables and assessed the normality of quantitative variables, the means and medians of which were calculated. All variables were explored by bivariate analysis for each gender. Next, we dichotomized the variables representing support or lack of support for FOBT and colonoscopy into two categories: "Feeling reluctant" (this category included: "No, I would not do it" and "I am not sure") and "Would support" (this category included: "Yes, I would do it"). Bivariate analysis was performed using these new variables without any change in the initial categories of the other variables. Next, two logistic regression analyses were performed; the first used support or lack of support for FOBT as the dependent variable, and the second support or lack of support for colonoscopy. In both equations, all independent variables had p-values of < 0.1 upon bivariate analysis. Backward logistic regression analysis was next performed. Independent variables were excluded from the model when no statistically significant relationships with the dependent variable were evident, and when the estimated coefficients did not change markedly from those yielded in the previous model employing the variable. Each new model was compared with the previous model by calculation of a likelihood ratio. SPSS version 13.0 for Windows was used for all statistical analysis.
Results
We collected 625 completed questionnaires from 24 PHC healthcare centers in the Balearic Islands and from 36 PHC centers in Barcelona. A total of 34 patients (5.2%), 67.6% of whom were male with a mean age of 58.6 years, refused to participate. Table 1 shows the demographic characteristics of participating patients. One in three (33%) participants reported visiting a healthcare center often or very often in the previous year, 43% from time-to-time, 21% occasionally, whereas 2% had not visited a center during the previous year. Most participants reported that they had high or very high confidence in PHC doctors and nurses (78% for each question).
Table 1
Patient characteristics
Variables
Categories
Cases (N = 625)
Valid %
Women % (N = 361)
Men % (N = 261)
Age
50-54
123
19.7
22.4
15.7
55-59
143
22.9
24.1
21.1
60-64
177
28.3
28.5
28.0
65-69
182
29.1
24.9
35.2
Region
Balearic islands
254
40.6
42.2
37.2
Barcelona
371
59.4
56.8
62.8
Educational level
< Elementary school
121
19.7
22.7
15.9
Elementary school
385
62.7
63.2
62.0
High school
73
11.9
9.1
15.5
Bachelor's degree
35
5.7
5.1
6.6
Job situation
Active
242
39.0
35.5
43.2
Not active
378
61.0
64.5
56.8
Smoking
Yes
98
15.8
12.2
20.8
No
519
83.4
87.2
78.0
Eats fruit daily
Yes
584
93.7
93.1
94.6
No
39
6.3
6.9
5.4
Eats vegetables daily
Yes
549
88.3
93.1
94.6
No
73
11.7
10.0
13.8
Practices physical activity Daily
Yes
486
78.3
76.3
81.2
No
134
21.6
23.7
18.5
Chronic health problem
Yes
452
77.7
77.1
78.6
No
123
21.1
21.7
20.2
Don't know
7
1.2
1.2
1.2
Type of chronic health problem
Hypertension
330
52.8
52.1
54.4
Diabetes
175
28.0
22.4
35.6
Depression
79
12.6
17.5
6.1
Anxiety
66
10.6
13.9
6.1
Heart failure
32
5.1
3.0
8.0
Renal failure
14
2.2
1.4
3.4
Asthma
27
4.3
4.2
4.2
COPD
22
3.5
1.7
6.1
Irritable bowel
16
2.6
3.0
1.1
Diverticulosis
12
1.9
2.5
1.1
Ulcerative colitis
4
0.6
0.6
0.8
History of polyps
Yes
30
4.8
5.8
3.5
No
567
91.3
90.9
91.8
Don't know
24
3.9
3.3
4.7
History of cancer
Yes
62
10.1
10.4
9.8
No
540
88.1
87.3
89.0
Don't know
11
1.8
2.3
1.2
Type of cancer
Breast
20
-
5.5
-
Skin
13
2.1
1.4
3.1
Urinary bladder
4
0.6
0.0
1.5
Lung
2
0.3
0.3
0.4
Prostate
8
-
-
3.1
Other
11
1.8
1.4
2.3
Family history of colorectal cancer
Yes
108
17.5
21.1
12.5
No
472
77.1
74.4
80.8
Don't know
33
5.4
4.5
6.7
Table 2 shows respondent knowledge about cancer in general and CRC in particular. Most patients knew that many cancers could be avoided by giving up smoking and that diagnosis before symptom occurrence improved the chance of survival. However, only half of all respondents knew that more than 50% of CRC patients survive for 5 years after diagnosis or that exercise could help prevent CRC. It was also known that many cancers could be avoided by eating more fruit and vegetables and that intestinal polyps must be removed because they can become cancerous. Women had more knowledge of CRC symptoms than did men, and they were aware of the significance of bloody stools, diarrhea, and constipation, but not of other signs and symptoms, such as weight loss, tenesmus, and abdominal pain.
Table 2
Knowledge about cancer and colorectal cancer
Questions
Answers
Total % (N = 625)
Women % (N = 361)
Men % (N = 261)
p
There are many types of cancer
Trae
94.3
95.0
93.5
0.729
False
0.3
0.3
0.4
I don't know
5.3
4.8
6.2
Some cancers can be cured
Trae
93.2
93.8
92.3
0.617
False
3.4
2.8
4.2
I don't know
3.4
3.4
3.5
Cancer is a fatal disease
Trae
27.9
27.0
29.1
0.801
False
65.4
65.9
64.7
I don't know
6.7
7.1
6.2
Many cancer cases could be avoided by doing more exercise
Trae
45.1
39.4
53.1
0.003
False
17.1
18.7
15.0
I don't know
37.7
41.9
31.9
Many cancer cases could be avoided by giving up smoking
Trae
92.2
90.2
95.0
0.065
False
2.8
3.1
2.3
I don't know
5.0
6.7
2.7
Many cancer cases could be avoided by eating more fruits and vegetables
Trae
69.9
68.8
71.3
0.266
False
7.5
8.9
5.4
I don't know
22.7
22.3
23.3
Cancer diagnosis before symptoms can improve chances of survival
Trae
88.2
88.5
87.7
0.476
False
1.0
0.6
1.5
I don't know
10.8
10.9
10.7
More than half of colorectal cancer cases survive five years after diagnosis
Trae
44.7
45.3
43.8
0.759
False
7.6
8.1
6.9
I don't know
47.7
46.6
49.2
Intestinal polyps must be removed because they can become a cancer
Trae
64.2
66.8
60.6
0.224
False
2.6
2.8
2.3
I don't know
33.2
30.4
37.1
Which of the following symptoms indicate a colorectal cancer
Bloody stools
72.2
76.5
66.3
0.006
Diarrhea-Constipation
42.9
48.5
35.2
0.001
Abdominal pain
23.6
24.1
23.0
0.775
Headache
8.8
8.0
10.0
0.475
Fatigue
37.9
39.6
35.6
0.317
Paleness
32.0
34.3
28.7
0.163
Difficulty swallowing
13.8
13.9
13.8
1.000
Weight loss
55.6
61.5
47.5
0.001
Burning stomach
15.6
14.7
16.9
0.502
Tenesmus
22.2
24.9
18.4
0.063
Pain during defecation
36.2
37.1
34.9
0.612
I don't know
20.9
17.2
26.1
0.009
A total of 82% of women and 38% of men had participated in screening tests for prevention of some type of cancer. Among women, 83.1% had undergone mammography, 68.1% cytology tests, 16.3% colonoscopies, 9.4% FOBTs, and 8.3% CT scans. Of all men, 36.4% had undergone PSA tests, 10.7% colonoscopies, 8.8% FOBTs, and 6.5% CT scans.
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Patients were asked how they would respond if a PHC doctor or nurse proposed that an FOBT be performed for CRC screening. A total of 88.8% of participants reported that they would undergo the test, 7.3% were not sure, and 3.9% indicated they would not. If the FOBT was positive and a colonoscopy was offered, 84.9% of participants reported that they would undergo the procedure, 5.9% were not sure, and 9.2% would not. Responses did not differ significantly between gender.
Patients reported that their main reasons for performing the FOBT were that they cared about their health and that they believed in advice received from doctors and nurses (Figure 1). The main reasons why patients would not perform the FOBT were that they felt well and feared discovering cancer (Figure 2). Women reported cancer fears somewhat more frequently than did men, although the difference was not significant. Less than 20% of participants reported that they felt susceptible to CRC. The main reasons for undergoing colonoscopy were to seek reassurance that cancer was absent and the belief that, if a polyp or cancer was present, treatment was necessary (Figure 3). Fear of pain was the main reason for not undergoing colonoscopy, especially among women (Figure 4).
Figure 1
Reasons for performing a FOBT in % (Only participants that would do it or doubt = 599).
Figure 2
Reasons for not performing a FOBT in % (Only participants that wouldn't perform it or doubt = 69).
Figure 3
Reasons for undergoing a colonoscopy (Only participants that would undergo it or doubt = 558).
Figure 4
Reasons for not undergoing colonoscopy (Only participants that wouldn't undergo it or doubt = 92).
×
×
×
×
Bivariate analysis indicated that several factors were associated with reluctance to perform the FOBT (Table 3) and to undergo colonoscopy if the FOBT was positive (Table 4). In both instances, the knowledge that many forms of cancer can be prevented by performing more exercise and that cancer diagnosis before symptom onset can improve survival were associated with favorable views on the FOBT and colonoscopy. Knowledge of the main symptoms of colorectal cancer; experience with any screening test for cancer prevention; and a positive attitude toward colonoscopy (when FOBT was explored) or toward FOBT (when colonoscopy was explored) were the main factors associated with reluctance to undergo FOBT or colonoscopy.
Table 3
Bivariate analysis of factors associated (p < 0.1) with being reluctant to perform a FOBT for colorectal cancer early diagnosis
Variables
Categories
Reluctant (%)
Would support (%)
p
Job situation
Active
7.5
92.5
0.019
Not active
13.6
86.4
Educational level
< Elementary school
16.8
83.2
0.082
Elementary school
10.4
89.6
High school
5.5
94.5
Bachelor's degree
14.3
85.7
There are many types of cancer
True
10.3
89.7
0.044
False + don't know
22.9
77.1
Cancer is a fatal disease
True + don't know
14.2
85.8
0.080
False
9.5
90.5
Many cancer cases could be avoided by doing more exercise
True
5.1
94.9
0.000
False + don't know
15.9
84.1
Many cancer cases could be avoided by giving up smoking
True
10.0
90.0
0.013
False + don't know
22.9
77.1
Many cancer cases could be avoided by eating more fruits and vegetables
True
9.0
91.0
0.012
False + don't know
16.2
83.8
Cancer diagnosis before symptoms can improve survival
True
9.0
91.0
0.000
False + don't know
26.8
73.2
Intestinal polyps must be removed, because they can become cancer
True
8.4
91.6
0.010
False + don't know
15.3
84.7
Any screening test done for cancer prevention
Yes
8.6
91.4
0.014
No
15.5
84.5
PSA test done for cancer prevention
Yes
5.2
94.8
0.051
No
12.2
87.8
FOBT done for cancer prevention
Yes
1.8
98.2
0.014
No
12.1
87.9
Which of the following symptoms indicate a colorectal cancer
Bloody stools
Yes
8.4
91.6
0.001
No
18.2
81.8
Diarrhea-Constipation Yes
7.4
92.6
0.010
No
14.0
86.0
Abdominal pain
Yes
6.1
93.9
0.034
No
12.7
87.3
Fatigue
Yes
7.6
92.4
0.035
No
13.3
86.7
Weight loss
Yes
8.9
91.1
0.055
No
13.9
86.1
Burning stomach
Yes
5.1
94.9
0.036
No
12.2
87.8
Tenesmus
Yes
3.6
96.4
0.001
No
13.3
86.7
Pain during defecation
Yes
5.3
94.7
0.000
No
14.5
85.5
I don't know
Yes
18.6
81.4
0.004
No
9.1
90.9
In case FOBT were + and a colonoscopy were recommended, would you accept to undergo it?
Yes
5.2
94.8
0.000
No + I doubt
44.6
55.4
Table 4
Bivariate analysis of factors associated (p < 0.1) with being reluctant to undergo a colonoscopy for colorectal cancer early diagnosis
Variables
Categories
Reluctant (%)
Would support (%)
p
Region
Balearic Islands
10.0
90.0
0.004
Barcelona
18.4
81.6
Job situation
Active
11.8
88.2
0.082
No active
17.2
82.8
There are many types of cancer
True
14.2
85.8
0.028
False + don't know
28.6
71.4
Many cancer cases could be avoided by doing more exercise
True
10.4
89.6
0.008
False + don't know
18.1
81.9
Many cancer cases could be avoided by eating more fruits and vegetables
True
12.9
87.1
0.026
False + don't know
20.1
79.9
Cancer diagnosis before symptoms can improve chances of survival
True
12.4
87.6
0.000
False + don't know
35.7
64.3
More than half of cases of colorectal cancer survive 5 years after diagnosis
True
10.7
89.3
0.009
False + don't know
18.5
81.5
Intestinal polyps must be removed, because they can become cancer
True
12.1
87.9
0.017
False + don't know
19.5
80.5
Any screening test done for cancer prevention
Yes
12.7
87.3
0.067
No
18.7
81.3
Colonoscopy done for cancer prevention
Yes
3.4
96.6
0.001
No
16.9
83.1
CT done for cancer prevention
Yes
4.3
95.7
0.032
No
15.9
84.1
Which of the following symptoms indicate a colorectal cancer
Bloody stools
Yes
11.9
88.1
0.001
No
23.4
76.6
Diarrhea-Constipation
Yes
10.9
89.1
0.012
No
18.2
81.8
Abdominal pain
Yes
10.3
89.7
0.084
No
16.5
83.5
Fatigue
Yes
9.4
90.6
0.002
No
18.4
81.6
Paleness
Yes
10.1
89.9
0.021
No
17.3
82.7
Difficulty swallowing
Yes
7.1
92.9
0.032
No
16.2
83.8
Weight loss
Yes
12.0
88.0
0.022
No
18.8
81.2
Burning stomach
Yes
7.2
92.8
0.019
No
16.4
83.6
Tenesmus
Yes
6.5
93.5
0.001
No
17.4
82.6
Pain during defecation
Yes
8.0
92.0
0.000
No
19.0
81.0
I don't know
Yes
24.4
75.6
0.002
No
12.5
87.5
Would you accept to perform a FOBT for colorectal screening?
Yes
9.3
90.7
0.000
No + I doubt
60.3
39.7
Multivariate analysis indicated that patients who did not know that many cancers can be prevented by performing more exercise, and those who would not undergo colonoscopy if an FOBT was positive, were more reluctant to perform the FOBT for CRC screening (Table 5). With respect to colonoscopy, participants from Barcelona who did not know that early diagnosis of CRC was associated with improved prognosis, those who had never had colonoscopies, and those who would not perform the FOBT for CRC screening, were more reluctant to undergo colonoscopy.
Table 5
Multivariate analysis of factors associated with being reluctant to do a FOBT and a colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening*
Variable
Categories
β
p
OR
95% CI
Being reluctant to perform a FOBT
Labour situation
Active
1
No active
0.641
0.072
1.914
0.044-3.880
Many cancer cases could be avoided by doing more exercise
True
1
False + don't know
1.155
0.002
3.174
1.542-6.532
FOBT done for cancer prevention
Yes
1
No
2.032
0.061
7.631
0.912-63.822
Bloody stools is a symptom of colorectal cancer
Yes
1
No
0.617
0.066
1.853
0.960-3.579
If FOBT were positive, would you accept to undergo a colonoscopy?
Yes
1
No + I doubt
2.603
0.000
13.507
7.144-25.536
Being reluctant to undergo a colonoscopy
Region
Balearic Islands
1
Barcelona
0.798
0.012
2.220
1.188-4.149
Cancer diagnosis before symptoms can improve chances of survival
True
1
False + don't know
0.822
0.023
2.276
1.117-4.635
More than half of cases of colorectal cancer survive 5 years after diagnosis
True
1
False + don't know
0.500
0.101
1.649
0.907-2.997
Colonoscopy done for cancer prevention
Yes
1
No
1.478
0.022
4.383
1.238-15.514
Fatigue is a symptom of colorectal cancer
Yes
1
No
0.505
0.106
1.657
0.898-3.058
Would you accept to perform a FOBT for colorectal screening?
Yes
1
No + I doubt
2.726
0.000
15.272
7.852-29.703
* Nagelkerke's R2: 0.352 for being reluctant to do a FOBT and 0.323 for being reluctant to do a colonoscopy
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Discussion
We examined the extent of knowledge about CRC in PHC patients from two regions of Spain, and the attitudes toward CRC and screening for the cancer. Our results indicate that knowledge about CRC in the general population could be improved, but that attitudes toward the FOBT and colonoscopy were generally positive. Our results also indicated some differences between men and women in attitudes toward CRC screening. This issue will be more thoroughly explored, in a qualitative manner, during the next phase of our study.
Our patients showed clear gaps in knowledge about CRC prevention and symptoms, as also reported in previous studies [7, 8, 14]. Women had a better knowledge of CRC symptoms and men had more knowledge of CRC prevention. A previous study in the United Kingdom also found that women had more knowledge about CRC than did men [7]. Although a general knowledge of CRC is not enough to raise CRC awareness to the level required for participation in screening programs, such knowledge has been reported as essential for development of a positive attitude toward screening programs in some studies [7, 16], but not in others [17].
Most of our PHC patients (88.8%) reported that they would support a population-based screening program for CRC that employed the FOBT followed by colonoscopy in instances of FOBT-positivity. The proportion of responsive PHC patients in the United Kingdom was similar [7], but fewer patients in Japan responded positively [16]. However, an intention to undergo CRC screening is not the same as actual participation in such screening. In particular, Herbert et al. showed that whereas over 80% of participants expressed an intention to participate in a CRC screening program, only 40% actually participated [12]. Thus, it is possible that our results were influenced by social desirability bias (over-reporting of expected behavior) and by the administration of the questionnaire in healthcare centers.
One limitation of the present study is that our PHC patients may not be representative of the general population of Spain, the true target of population-based CRC screening. Spain has a free public healthcare system that covers 99% of the population. Thus, although our participants may not reflect the general population, they may be representative of those of lower socioeconomic status, and such subjects would benefit most from a campaign seeking to improve awareness of CRC screening [7].
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In the present study, women reported more prior experience with cancer screening than did men. This reflects the existence of well-established screening programs for breast and cervical cancer. Thus, we expected to find differences between men and women regarding intention to participate in a CRC screening program [18], but we in fact found no gender-based difference in this variable, unlike what was noted in studies in the United Kingdom [19] and Catalonia [20], both of which reported higher participation by women in CRC screening programs.
Fear of being diagnosed with cancer, and of pain during colonoscopy, were the principal reasons given, especially by women, for not wishing to participate in CRC screening. These observations agree with those of other studies [17, 21] and with the views held by PHC professionals about their patients [11]. Also, patients perceived that the risk of developing CRC was low, as has also been observed in previous studies [8]. We found no between-gender difference in perceived fear of CRC, in contrast to the results of a previous qualitative study which found that women believed that CRC was more common in men, and the women thus felt less vulnerable to this cancer [22].
Factors associated with a positive attitude toward the FOBT and colonoscopy were diverse in nature and included knowledge about CRC primary prevention, of the symptoms of CRC, and of the benefits afforded by CRC screening. Moreover, positive attitudes toward the FOBT and colonoscopy were associated, and vice versa. Previous studies also found that the perceived benefits and barriers were the main factors associated with an intention to undergo colonoscopy after a positive FOBT [16]. In one previous work, compliance with the advice of the PHC doctor was associated with intention to perform the FOBT for colorectal cancer screening, and also with actual FOBT completion [12]. Another qualitative study found that lack of trust in doctors was a barrier to CRC screening [15]. In the present work, we found no association between a positive attitude toward CRC screening and patient confidence in the PHC doctor or nurse. We suggest further exploration of this issue, because previous experience has shown that PHC doctors play key roles in developing patient willingness to participate in CRC screening [23].
Our results showed that the knowledge that physical activity could protect against CRC was associated with a positive attitude toward the FOBT. Also, we observed that an understanding that early diagnosis of CRC is associated with better prognosis was associated with a positive attitude toward colonoscopy if an FOBT was positive. It is noteworthy that one-third of our subjects did not know that polyps should be removed because they can become cancerous. Together, our results indicate that developing knowledge on CRC preventability should be a key plank in the design of an awareness program promoting CRC population-based screening, as has been noted previously [17].
Conclusions
In summary, the present study has shown that PHC patients have knowledge gaps with respect to both the nature and prevention of CRC. Addressing patient cancer fears and emphasizing that CRC is preventable will be key elements in the successful promotion of CRC screening.
Acknowledgements
This study received two grants from the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias [Health Research Fund] of Spain's Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo [Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs] (nos. PI 07/905 and PI 07/90696). The work also received funding from the Red de Investigación en Promoción de la Salud y Actividades Preventivas de Atención Primaria [Health Promotion and Primary Care Prevention Activities Research Network] (red IAPP), supported by Spain's Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo (no. ISCIII-RETCI RD 06/0018), and from the Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud [University Institute for Health Sciences Research] (IUNICS).
This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors' contributions
MR, EC, ME, JMT, JMV, JL and GA designed the study; MR and ML led development of the projects in the Balearic Islands and Barcelona, respectively; MMR, XC, MS, and MT coordinated study work in their respective areas. MR and ME performed the statistical analysis, and MR drafted the manuscript. ME, EC, MM, MMR, XC, MS, GA, MT, JMT, JMV, JL and ML critically reviewed the draft and approved the final manuscript.
Knowledge and attitudes of primary healthcare patients regarding population-based screening for colorectal cancer
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