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THE AWARENESS OF COLORECTAL CANCER AMONG SAUDI POPULATION IN THE WESTERN REGION

Dr. Mohammad Eid Mahfouz, Asma Waqit Alghamdi

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is part of the top-ranking cancers in Saudi Arabia, and frequently patients are diagnosed at advanced disease stages. This study aims to explore the awareness of lifestyle, CRC symptoms and signs, common risk factors, and screening strategies according to demographic characteristics in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. Altogether 440 adult participants (aged 20 years and above) were included in this study, of these 364 (82.7%) participants were women and 76 (17.2%) were men. Data collected included demographics, participants’ knowledge of symptoms, risk factors and screening for CRC. The data collected were entered in an excel sheet and then analyzed by SPSS program. Results: It was encouraging that 330 (75%) of the total participants surveyed for the study recognized bowel disease as a CRC risk factor and their primary source of information was the internet (231, 52.5%). Although very few respondents know the warning signs and symptoms of CRC, the majority of participants 358 (81.3%) were aware of CRC screening for people > 50 years. High total awareness score was associated with used health professionals as an information source (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The population survey revealed low awareness of CRC warning signs and symptoms, lifestyle and risk factors in general population in Western Saudi Arabia. Low total awareness score was associated with female gender. The results emphasize the importance of continuing public education, particularly about the link between lifestyle behaviors and CRC, as well than available screening strategies. Keywords: Screening; awareness; knowledge; Saudi Arabia; colorectal cancer.

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