Reasons for participation and nonparticipation in a colorectal cancer screening program for a cohort of high risk polypropylene workers

Little is known about reasons for participation in occupational colorectal cancer screening programs using flexible sigmoidoscopy and barium enema. To assess this issue, telephone interviews were conducted with a sample of participants and nonparticipants in such a program. This study was a follow-up of a previous assessment of factors that affected screening participation among a cohort found to have elevated rates of colorectal cancer. The major finding of this survey was that the absence of symptoms was the major reason for nonparticipation, although both participants and nonparticipants expressed the view that early detection was important and that colorectal cancer could be cured if treated at an early stage. Based on the results of this study and of other surveys, educational messages to workers explaining the asymptomatic development of colorectal cancer should be tried as a way of increasing participation.