title: Public awareness of colon cancer screening among the general population: A study from the Western Region of Saudi Arabia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Screening for colon cancer aims at early detection and prompt treatment of the disease. Prior knowledge of the disease will contribute to increased participation. However, barriers to performing screening are not known.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey using a questionnaire was presented to patients attending the Outpatient Department of a tertiary hospital in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia, to evaluate the background knowledge of colon cancer screening, the diagnostic methods used for that purpose, and the barriers that may resist the implementation of screening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six hundred and nineteen questionnaires were distributed. Completed questionnaires that were included in the final analysis numbered 321 (51.9%). Age and gender had no statistically significant association with increased awareness of screening options (p = 0.526 and p = 0.2). However, education played a significant role (p = 0.045). Among the group that agreed to undergo screening, there were 55.3% who were willing to undergo colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. Contrary to that, among the group that did not agree to undergo screening, 77.4% of them would undergo radiological screening using barium enema and/or a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a deficiency of knowledge of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening influenced by an individual's level of education, yet unrelated to age or gender. The endoscopic modality was usually chosen by individuals who were aware of CRC screening. However, the fear of undergoing this investigation, for the same reason, would likely make them decide to choose less invasive testing, using barium enema or a CT of the abdomen.
authors.forename: Yasir Mohammed
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Khayyat
authors.affiliation: Oncology Centre of Excellence, International Medical Centre, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ezzeldin Mostafa
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
keywords: attitudes; colon neoplasm; colonoscopy; early detection of cancer; health knowledge; practice