title: Understanding low colorectal cancer screening uptake in South Asian faith communities in England--a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal cancer screening uptake within the South Asian population in England is approximately half that of the general population (33 % vs 61 %), and varies by Muslim (31.9 %), Sikh (34.6 %) and Hindu (43.7 %) faith background. This study sought to explore reasons for low uptake of CRC screening in South Asian communities and for the variability of low uptake between three faith communities; and to identify strategies by which uptake might be improved.
  
  
  METHODS
  We interviewed 16 'key informants' representing communities from the three largest South Asian faith backgrounds (Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism) in London, England.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reasons for low colorectal cancer screening uptake were overwhelmingly shared across South Asian faith groups. These were: limitations posed by written English; limitations posed by any written language; reliance on younger family members; low awareness of colorectal cancer and screening; and difficulties associated with faeces. Non-written information delivered verbally and interactively within faith or community settings was preferred across faith communities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Efforts to increase accessibility to colorectal cancer screening in South Asian communities should use local language broadcasts on ethnic media and face-to-face approaches within community and faith settings to increase awareness of colorectal cancer and screening, and address challenges posed by written materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Health Research, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, UK. palmer.ck@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cecily K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Health Research, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, UK. mary.thomas@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, UK. l.mcgregor@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Lesley M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, UK. c.wagner@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: von Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Health Research, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, UK. r.raine@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Rosalind
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raine
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D044466:Asian People; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D004739:England; D005006:Ethnicity; D018596:Hinduism; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D008131:London; D008403:Mass Screening; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012067:Religion