Failure of Colonoscopy Knowledge to Predict Colonoscopy Uptake

Despite an increase in colorectal cancer screening uptake, a substantial minority of individuals over 50 years of age remains unscreened. In the context of an RCT evaluating three educational interventions to increase CRC screening uptake, we examined the relationship of baseline colonoscopy knowledge and both intention to receive a colonoscopy and documented receipt of colonoscopy. Colonoscopy knowledge score, generally high, was positively associated with intention to receive colonoscopy but not with receipt of colonoscopy within 1 year post-randomization. Knowledge score was, however, positively associated with certain perceived barriers to colonoscopy: embarrassment and having to take a powerful laxative.

Knowledge is not sufficient to trigger colonoscopy uptake. If CRC screening promotion campaigns fail to acknowledge and address patients' emotional barriers to colonoscopy, CRC screening rates will not improve.

gov: Identifier: NCT02392143.