title: Factors associated with consultation behaviour for primary symptoms potentially indicating colorectal cancer: a cross-sectional study on response to symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little data exists on the factors associated with health care seeking behaviour for primary symptoms of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to identify individual, provider and psychosocial factors associated with (i) ever seeking medical advice and (ii) seeking early medical advice for primary symptoms of colorectal cancer (CRC).
  
  
  METHODS
  1592 persons aged 56-88 years randomly selected from the Hunter Community Study (HCS) were sent a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Males and those who had received screening advice from a doctor were at significantly higher odds of ever seeking medical advice for rectal bleeding. Persons who had private health coverage, consulted a doctor because the 'symptom was serious', or who did not wait to consult a doctor for another reason were at significantly higher odds of seeking early medical advice (< 2 weeks). For change in bowel habit, persons with lower income, within the healthy weight range, or who had discussed their family history of CRC irrespective of whether informed of 'increased risk' were at significantly higher odds of ever seeking medical advice. Persons frequenting their GP less often and seeing their doctor because the symptom persisted were at significantly higher odds of seeking early medical advice (< 2 weeks).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The seriousness of symptoms, importance of early detection, and prompt consultation must be articulated in health messages to at-risk persons. This study identified modifiable factors, both individual and provider-related to consultation behaviour. Effective health promotion efforts must heed these factors and target sub-groups less likely to seek early medical advice.
authors.affiliation: The Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia. ryan.courtney@newcastle.edu.au
authors.forename: Ryan J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Courtney
authors.forename: Christine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Sanson-Fisher
authors.forename: Finlay A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Macrae
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Attia
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McEvoy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003672:Defecation; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000523:psychology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D063189:Symptom Assessment / Q000523:psychology*