title: Early detection of colorectal cancer: a profile of current practice.
abstract: This study examines the prevalence of colorectal cancer screening among individuals in the general community. The survey was undertaken as part of a large scale general population survey of health practices and attitudes. A sample of 1090 people aged 40 years and over with no previous history of colorectal cancer or other predisposing condition was interviewed. Only 56% of this group reported that they regularly checked their bowel movements, the toilet bowl, or the toilet paper for signs of rectal bleeding. Only 13% could recall a doctor ever advising them to check for rectal bleeding; and 21% could recall a doctor asking them if they had ever noticed blood in their bowel movements. More involved practitioner-based procedures, such as digital rectal examination, fecal occult blood testing, endoscopy, and barium enema, were reported by only a minority of participants. Analysis of screening rates in the 9.3% of people who reported a family history of colorectal cancer revealed that this higher risk group was no more likely to be screened than those at average risk.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Byles
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Sanson-Fisher
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Redman
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agrez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012307:Risk Factors; D016353:Self-Examination