Effects of Nursing Education on Awareness of Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer

Assessing awareness of colorectal cancer symptoms, risk factors and screening barriers among eligible adults in Jordan: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most prevalent malignancy in Jordan. Because early detection can greatly improve treatment outcomes, it is crucial to increase awareness of signs and symptoms, risk factors, and the significance of routine CRC screenings. In this study, we aimed to assess awareness levels regarding CRC symptoms and risk factors among adults in Jordan and to identify barriers to CRC screening.

METHODS

This web-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jordan from March 5, 2024 to July 9, 2024, and targeted people aged 50-75 years who had no history of CRC. The sample size was calculated via a convenience sampling method. Data were collected via a validated, culturally adapted survey. Descriptive analysis was used when appropriate. Analytic statistics were performed to predict participants' awareness of CRC symptoms and risk factors.

RESULTS

The study included 400 participants, with a mean age of 58.42 years (SD = 6.511). More than half of the respondents were females (56.5%). The mean awareness score of CRC symptoms among the study participants was 4.97/9 (SD = 1.18), whereas that of risk factors was 5.21/10 (SD = 1.53). The overall mean awareness score was 10.18/19 (SD = 2.65). The top three reported barriers to CRC screening were: not at risk due to absence of symptoms (61.8%), not at risk due to adopting a healthy lifestyle (56.8%), not at risk due to absence of family history (51.8%).

CONCLUSION

Colorectal cancer awareness among the population was relatively low, with significant symptoms and risk factors being overlooked by the participants. In addition to that, notable barriers to screening, especially fear and embarrassment of the screening test, have surfaced. This prompts the need for more cancer education and healthcare provider involvement to overcome screening barriers and promote participation in screening programs to enable early detection.

Awareness of Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors in Palestine: Where Do We Stand?

To assess the public awareness level of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk factors in Palestine and identify factors associated with the good awareness level.

A national study in Palestine finds low awareness of colorectal cancer risk factors.

Awareness of health sciences students about colorectal cancer risk factors

OBJECTIVE

This descriptive study was conducted in order to determine the risk factors, symptoms and awareness of health sciences students with regards to colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

This study included 1,028 health science students from two different universities. Data for this study were collected via a questionnaire form that included questions about CRC risk factors, protective approaches and symptoms. Frequencies, percentages and averages of the data were assessed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.

RESULTS

The most frequent risk factors of the students (mean age: 21.25 years) were smoking (90.5%), excessive alcohol consumption (87.4%), family history of cancer (84.2%) and obesity (82.6%), while the most common protective approaches were smoking cessation, avoiding alcohol, regular physical activity and a low-fat diet. There was a significant difference in the CRC awareness of students in terms of gender, the department and grade level at which they were studying, and having a family history of cancer.

CONCLUSION

Results of this study revealed that students had a sufficient awareness about risk factors and what they could do to diminish their risk, but their knowledge about CRC symptoms was less than expected. We believe that health sciences students should be given more education on CRC symptoms.