Colorectal cancer(CRC) is the 2nd most common cancer in
women worldwide. In Italy, only 50% of individuals invited touse Fecal occult blood test(FOBT) it attended. Women’s
participation for breast and cervical screening is very high.
More than 70% completed a mammography but the adhesion
to FOBT is lower than the other two screening offered for free
and the adhesion to colonoscopy is very low. The aim of the
study is investigate the beliefs, feelings and psychological
factors that could influence the behavior of women about
participation in cancer screening(Colonoscopy and FOBT).
Methods
The survey was carried out in a center for cancer prevention in
Siena, Tuscany, in 2011. A questionnaire, based on literature,
was administered to 507 women attending mammography or
clinical breast examination and it was administered to all age
women but adherence to colorectal cancer screening was
analyzed only for women age 50 years and older (207). We
performed descriptive and bivariate analysis and we examined
the association between participant characteristics, willingness
and adherence to screening.
Results
Family history of colorectal cancer is associated with adherence
to screening compliance (FOBT and colonoscopy)
(p < 0.0087).The doctor’s advice is significantly associated
with adherence to colorectal cancer screening (both)
(p < 0.0001). Women who perceived colonoscopy as a painful
examination are less likely to be compliant to screening for
CRC (colonoscopy) (p < 0.0002).The embarrassment is
another factor related to colonoscopy compliance (p < 0.0012).
Conclusions
Embarrassment, pain and doctor’s advice are the factors that
correlated more strongly with adherence (or not) to screening.
For the future is useful to implement information campaigns
on colorectal cancer and refresher courses for general
practitioners. A possible intervention for the future would be
to hand before mammography or gynecological examination
the kit for the collection of fecal occult blood
