Factors affecting attitudes towards colorectal cancer screening in the primary care population
Taina Taskila1, Sue Wilson1, Sarah Damery1, Andrea Roalfe1, Val Redman1, Tariq Ismail2, Richard Hobbs1
1Primary Care Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK, 2University Hospital Birmingham Foundation NHS Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, UK
Proffered paper presentation
Background
Colorectal cancer is a major cause of death in the UK. Regular screening could
significantly reduce colorectal cancer related morbidity and mortality.
However, screening programmes in the UK have to date seen uptake rates of less
than 60%. Attitude toward screening is one of the primary factors correlating
with patient uptake. Identifying the characteristics associated with negative
attitudes towards screening could allow the development of suitable education
programmes, targeted towards those who may be most reluctant to undergo
colorectal cancer screening, thereby increasing its acceptability amongst these
groups.
Methods
A questionnaire was sent to people aged 50 69 who were registered with
general practices in the West Midlands. A total of 11,355 people (53%)
completed the questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were
performed to identify which factors (gender, age, ethnicity, deprivation,
number of symptoms, and their duration) most strongly contributed to
negative/positive attitudes in the primary care population.
Results
Fourteen percent of respondents had a negative attitude toward screening. Men,
older people, and those with an Indian ethnic background were more likely to
have negative attitudes; whereas people with Black-Caribbean ethnic background,
people with multiple symptoms and those reporting abdominal pain, bleeding, and
tiredness were more likely to have a positive attitude.
Conclusion
Gender, age, ethnicity, number of symptoms, and the presence of certain
symptoms are the strongest predictors of attitudes towards colorectal cancer
screening, and presumably influence the compliance with screening invitations.
Culturally relevant screening strategies should aim to increase knowledge of
symptoms and signs related to bowel cancer amongst South Asian ethnic groups in
the UK.
