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Community (mis)understanding of colorectal cancer treatment
1Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Background:
A study was undertaken to assess community understanding of colorectal cancer symptoms and colorectal cancer treatment.
Methods:
A computer-assisted telephone survey was undertaken to interview 1000 men and women aged 40-60 years.
Results:
Overall there was a considerable lack of information in the community about colorectal cancer symptoms and treatment. Men were less knowledgeable than women, and 28% of men were unable to name any symptoms of bowel cancer. Although surgery was mentioned by 53% of the sample, a third could not name any treatments. Most responses to questions about the effects of treatment related to chemotherapy-related disturbances and the possibility of having a colostomy bag postoperatively.
Conclusions:
There is inaccurate information in the community about colorectal cancer symptoms and treatment. This may inhibit involvement in screening programmes or delay presentation for therapy, as a result of undue concern about the prospects of treatment.