UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: The study is to examine the association between physician practice, patient knowledge, attitude and beliefs about colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal cancer testing, defined as being current on any test that meets CRC screening guidelines.

Methods: We analyzed data for all adults aged 50 years and older (N=2,311) in the 2004 Iowa Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) including an additional CRC questionnaire on practices, knowledge and attitudes that Iowa added. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between practice, knowledge and attitudes and CRC screening.

Results: After adjusting for age, gender, race, health insurance, smoking, we found that physician recommendation for colorectal cancer testing, having seen articles or advertising about the potential benefits of CRC screening, knowledge of the risk factors such as diets in developing CRC, and perceived high risk of CRC were significantly associated increased colorectal cancer screening among Iowans. Results indicate that intervention aimed at increasing physician recommendation for CRC screening and public awareness of risks of CRC and benefits of CRC early detection may be the effective ways of increasing screening rates.