BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is an effective modality for colorectal cancer screening. The objectives of this study were to identify colorectal cancer knowledge and barriers to screening colonoscopy in the general US population. METHODS: Data was obtained from the health information national trends survey (HINTS I). The dataset (n = 6369) examined the influence of age, race, gender, education, income, media usage, and interactions with health care providers on knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding colonoscopic screening for colorectal cancer. RESULTS: The term 'colonoscopy' was recognized by 80% of participants (over the age of 35), however only 35% of respondents perceived it as a major method for colon cancer screening. Hispanics had the least awareness of colonoscopic screening (16% versus 39% non-Hispanic). Female gender, education, and income all correlated with knowledge and use of colonoscopic screening. There was a positive correlation between media usage and having a colonoscopy (r = 0.095, p < 0.01). Having a health care provider was strongly correlated with having undergone a colonoscopy (r = 0.249, p < 0.01). Reasons for not having a colonoscopy were 'no reason' (29%), 'doctor didn't order it' (24%), and 'didn't know I needed the test' (15%). Personalized materials were the preferred media for receiving cancer-related information. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of and participation in screening colonoscopy is low in the US population, especially among Hispanics. The most important immediate action is to increase physician referral for screening colonoscopy. Education materials focused on specific sociodemographic segments and targeted communication campaigns need to be developed to encourage screening.
BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is an effective modality for colorectal cancer screening. The objectives of this study were to identify colorectal cancer knowledge and barriers to screening colonoscopy in the general US population. METHODS: Data was obtained from the health information national trends survey (HINTS I). The dataset (n = 6369) examined the influence of age, race, gender, education, income, media usage, and interactions with health care providers on knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding colonoscopic screening for colorectal cancer. RESULTS: The term 'colonoscopy' was recognized by 80% of participants (over the age of 35), however only 35% of respondents perceived it as a major method for colon cancer screening. Hispanics had the least awareness of colonoscopic screening (16% versus 39% non-Hispanic). Female gender, education, and income all correlated with knowledge and use of colonoscopic screening. There was a positive correlation between media usage and having a colonoscopy (r = 0.095, p < 0.01). Having a health care provider was strongly correlated with having undergone a colonoscopy (r = 0.249, p < 0.01). Reasons for not having a colonoscopy were 'no reason' (29%), 'doctor didn't order it' (24%), and 'didn't know I needed the test' (15%). Personalized materials were the preferred media for receiving cancer-related information. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of and participation in screening colonoscopy is low in the US population, especially among Hispanics. The most important immediate action is to increase physician referral for screening colonoscopy. Education materials focused on specific sociodemographic segments and targeted communication campaigns need to be developed to encourage screening.
Authors: Raquel E Davila; Elizabeth Rajan; Todd H Baron; Douglas G Adler; James V Egan; Douglas O Faigel; Seng-Ian Gan; William K Hirota; Jonathan A Leighton; David Lichtenstein; Waqar A Qureshi; Bo Shen; Marc J Zuckerman; Trina VanGuilder; Robert D Fanelli Journal: Gastrointest Endosc Date: 2006-04 Impact factor: 9.427
Authors: Ahmedin Jemal; Taylor Murray; Elizabeth Ward; Alicia Samuels; Ram C Tiwari; Asma Ghafoor; Eric J Feuer; Michael J Thun Journal: CA Cancer J Clin Date: 2005 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 508.702
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Authors: S J Winawer; A G Zauber; M N Ho; M J O'Brien; L S Gottlieb; S S Sternberg; J D Waye; M Schapiro; J H Bond; J F Panish Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1993-12-30 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Julie A Winterich; Sara A Quandt; Joseph G Grzywacz; Peter Clark; Mark Dignan; John H Stewart; Thomas A Arcury Journal: Am J Health Behav Date: 2011-09