title: Cancer risk awareness and screening uptake in individuals at higher risk for colon cancer: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: We aimed to measure cancer knowledge and feasibility of a screening colonoscopy among a cohort of individuals at higher risk of colon cancer.
  
  
  
  This study was conducted as part of an ongoing screening cohort, in which first degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with colon cancer are invited to participate in a free of charge screening colonoscopy. We enrolled 1017 FDRs in the study between 2013 and 2014 measuring their data on demographics, cancer knowledge and colonoscopy uptake. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  
  The relative's mean age was 48.7 years. Only about 28% of FDRs were aware of their increased risk for cancer, near 35.0% had ever heard about colonoscopy with 22% aware of the correct age to start screening. Comparing cancer knowledge of FDRs at high risk versus those at moderate risk, we recorded non-significant differences (p>0.05). Almost two-thirds of FDRs expressed willingness to undergo a colonoscopy and 49.2% completed the procedure, of which 12.8% had advanced neoplasm.
  
  
  
  Our data indicated that remarkable numbers of FDRs were not still informed of their cancer risk or never received a physician recommendation for screening. The desirable uptake at first invitation, which would be higher over successive invitations, supports the feasibility of a family-based recruitment approach for early screening. This has promising implications to introduce targeted screening colonoscopy into the healthcare system in Iran and other developing nations.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamideh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salimzadeh
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Faraz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bishehsari
authors.affiliation: Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delavari
authors.affiliation: Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Gilda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barzin
authors.affiliation: Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amani
authors.affiliation: Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Azam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Majidi
authors.affiliation: Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sadjadi
authors.affiliation: Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malekzadeh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Family cancer; awareness; colonoscopy; colorectal cancer screening; compliance