Poor awareness of colorectal cancer symptoms; a preventable cause of emergency and late stage presentation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess knowledge of colorectal cancer (CRC) symptoms among outpatient attendees, and to review disease stage, presentation and duration of symptoms in patients diagnosed with CRC.


METHODS
A questionnaire survey was used to evaluate knowledge of symptoms of CRC and other malignancies. A review of patients diagnosed with CRC during a two-year period was performed.


RESULTS
Of 350 survey participants 26.6% could name a CRC symptom, compared to 53.4% for lung cancer and 71.5% for breast cancer. Of 102 patients diagnosed with CRC 3.9% had Dukes A disease, 32.4% had Dukes B, 39.2% had Dukes C and 24.5% had distant metastases. Forty per cent of patients presented acutely. The mean duration of symptoms was 24 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of CRC symptoms is poor and is reflected in the percentage of late stage and emergency presentations. Increasing public awareness of CRC may lead to earlier presentation and improved survival.
Manning
A T
AT
Dept of Surgery, Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. aidan.manning@gmail.com
Waldron
R
R
Barry
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires