title: Public awareness of colorectal cancer in Saudi Arabia: A survey of 1070 participants in Riyadh.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate colorectal cancer (CRC) awareness in healthy individuals in Saudi Arabia in order to identify segments of the population that would most benefit from targeted education programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey/questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Random, healthy individuals from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were approached to participate in a 10-question multiple choice survey about CRC. Data were analyzed by demographic criteria, including age, gender, marital status, and level of education, to determine if members of these groups displayed differential knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Differences in responses by demographic data were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-square test. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 1070 participants completed the survey. Most respondents believe that screening for colon cancer should begin at symptom onset (42.9%). Less than 20% of all respondents believe that polyps are a risk factor for CRC, which varied significantly according to level of education; however, even the most educated answered correctly less than 50% of the time. Similarly, only 34.8% of all respondents knew that a family history of CRC imparted a personal risk for CRC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although older individuals and those with higher education tended to answer questions correctly more often, there were some misconceptions regarding universally accepted screening protocols, symptoms, and general understanding of CRC in Saudi Arabia. A national education/screening program in Saudi Arabia is recommended to improve CRC knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Colorectal Research Center, General Surgery Division, King Khalid University Hospital and College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ahmad M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Zubaidi
authors.forename: Noura M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: AlSubaie
authors.forename: Areej A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: AlHumaid
authors.forename: Shaffi A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shaik
authors.forename: Khayal A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: AlKhayal
authors.forename: Omar A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: AlObeed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
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