title: Implementation of screening colonoscopy amongst first- degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer in Turkey: a cross-sectional questionnaire based survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the implementation of screening colonoscopy amongst first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 400 first-degree relatives (mean(SD)age: 42.5(12.7) years, 55.5% were male) of 136 CRC patients were included in this cross-sectional questionnaire based survey. Data on demographic characteristics, relationship to patient and family history for malignancy other than the index case were evaluated in the FDRs of patients as were the data on knowledge about and characteristics related to the implementation of screening colonoscopy using a standardized questionnaire form.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean(SD) age at diagnosis of CRC in the index patients was 60.0(14.0) years, while mean(SD) age of first degree relatives was 42.5(12.7) years. Overall 36.3% of relatives were determined to have knowledge about colonoscopy. Physicians (66.9%) were the major source of information. Screening colonoscopy was recommended to 19.5% (n=78) of patient relatives, while 48.7% (n=38) of individuals participated in colonoscopy procedures, mostly (57.9%) one year after the index diagnosis. Screening colonoscopy revealed normal findings in 25 of 38 (65.8%) cases, while precancerous lesions were detected in 26.3% of screened individuals. In 19.0% of FDRs of patients, there was a detected risk for Lynch syndrome related cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, our findings revealed that less than 20% of FDRs of patients had received a screening colonoscopy recommendation; only 48.7% participated in the procedure with detection of precancerous lesions in 26.3%. Rise of awareness about screening colonoscopy amongst patients with CRC and first degree relatives of patients and motivation of physicians for targeted screening would improve the participation rate in screening colonoscopy by FDRs of patients with CRC in Turkey.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey E-mail : ayhancekin@hotmail.com.
authors: Yesim
authors: Y
authors: Adakan
authors: Muharrem
authors: M
authors: Taskoparan
authors: Ayhan Hilmi
authors: AH
authors: Cekin
authors: Adil
authors: A
authors: Duman
authors: Ferda
authors: F
authors: Harmandar
authors: Vildan
authors: V
authors: Taskin
authors: Ustun
authors: U
authors: Yilmaz
authors: Bayram
authors: B
authors: Yesil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey