Knowledge about hereditary colorectal cancer among colorectal cancer survivors.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about colorectal cancer (CRC) patients' knowledge regarding hereditary CRC (HCRC). The primary aim of this study was to evaluate CRC survivors' level of knowledge about HCRC and determine if this knowledge varies by demographic or clinical characteristics.


METHODS
Data were obtained using a cross-sectional survey of CRC patients at low, moderate, and high risk for HCRC seen at a comprehensive cancer center over a 5-year period (n = 93). Seven items (with potential responses of yes/no/don't know) assessed patients' knowledge. A t-test was conducted to compare composite knowledge among individuals at increased risk for CRC to those who were not at increased risk.


RESULTS
For all but one of seven questions, most individuals reported that they did not know the answer to the question. Knowledge among participants at increased risk for HCRC (mean = 2.46, standard deviation = 1.93) was greater than those who were not at increased risk (mean = 1.51, standard deviation = 1.84). There was a statistically significant difference in knowledge between the groups, t(90) = 2.40, p = 0.018.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest an overall deficit of knowledge among CRC patients. More efforts should focus on increasing knowledge about HCRC prevention among patients and family members. With a better understanding of knowledge gaps, researchers and health-care providers can reevaluate how to better inform CRC patients about HCRC risks.
Vadaparampil
Susan T
ST
Moffitt Cancer Center, MRC-CANCONT,Tampa, FL 33612, USA. susan.vadaparampil@moffitt.org
Quinn
Gwendolyn
G
Malo
Teri L
TL
Alvarez
Angelic
A
Miree
Cheryl A
CA
Shibata
David
D
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012306:Risk; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*