title: Perceptions of knowledge, beliefs, and barriers to colorectal cancer screening.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is an effective tool that aggressively identifies and treats preventable colorectal disease. Yet incidence and mortality disparities still exist.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional sample of persons at risk of CRC residing in a Midwestern metropolitan area (n = 43) reported their knowledge, beliefs, and perceived barriers of CRC screening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Minorities were significantly more likely to have inaccurate knowledge/beliefs and increased perceived internal/external barriers of CRC screening than Whites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health education programs designed to increase CRC screening efficacy have to address the predisposed knowledge, beliefs, and perceived barriers of diverse persons at risk.
authors.affiliation: School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182-0216, USA. stacy@mail.unomaha.edu
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stacy
authors.forename: William Alvin
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Torrence
authors.forename: Carol R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology*; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires