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Bowel cancer knowledge gaps evident among Irish residents: results of a national questionnaire survey
Flynn, Laura Fallows, Stephen
Flynn, Laura
Fallows, Stephen
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EPub Date
Publication Date
2023-01-19
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Abstract
Background: The extent of knowledge of bowel cancer, its symptoms and risk factors are unknown in Irish residents. An understanding of bowel cancer awareness may be useful in aiding healthcare professionals, and policy makers develop improved bowel cancer awareness programmes and public health initiatives in Ireland.
Aims and methods: A 22-question online questionnaire survey was designed to gather data to assess residents' awareness of bowel cancer, its symptoms, and risk factors and to determine reasons for not participating in BowelScreen Ireland.
Results: There were 449 participants (329 women, 119 men and 1 'prefer not to say'). The majority of participants were aged 35-49 years (42.8%), and 82.6% had completed a third level qualification. Irish residents (non-healthcare professionals/scientists (NHCP/S)) recalled on average less than three warning signs/symptoms. Among NHCP/S the most well-recalled protective diet and lifestyle choices were active lifestyle/exercise (62.1%), a fibre rich diet (45.4%) and no/low alcohol consumption (32.1%). Many were unable to recall red and processed meat as risk factors with only 10.7% and 4.9%, respectively, citing these foods. However, prompted awareness was superior with 71.1% agreeing or strongly agreeing that consumption of red and processed meat is a risk factor. 43.4% said they would be 'fairly confident' in recognising a sign/symptom, but more than a third (38.7%) reported they were 'not very confident'.
Conclusion: This survey emphasises the need to improve the awareness of bowel cancer as gaps in this specific cancer knowledge were evident among Irish residents.
Keywords: Awareness; Colorectal cancer; Help-seeking; Prevention.
Citation
Flynn, L., & Fallows, S. (2023). Bowel cancer knowledge gaps evident among Irish residents: Results of a national questionnaire survey. Irish Journal of Medical Science, 192, 2085–2093. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-023-03273-1
Publisher
Springer
Journal
Irish Journal of Medical Science
Research Unit
DOI
10.1007/s11845-023-03273-1
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PubMed Central ID
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Article
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Description
This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11845-023-03273-1.
Series/Report no.
ISSN
0021-1265
EISSN
1863-4362