Knowledge and Awareness of Colorectal Cancer among University Students in Oman

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the top ranked cancers in Oman and the incidences of CRC have been dramatically increasing in recent times. The aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge of CRC and to understand the level of awareness on CRC screening methods among undergraduate medical students.Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Oman among the undergraduate medical students. The study was a survey based on a questionnaire consisting of 27 items that addressed general risk factors, dietary risk factors, signs and symptoms, screening, and prognostic factors of CRC. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.Results: A total of three hundred and eighty-two (n=382) students from the premedical (45, 11.8%), preclinical (249, 65.2%) and clinical (88, 23.0%) years participated in the survey. In all the five categories, general risk factors, dietary risk factors, signs and symptoms, screening and prognostic factors, the clinical students had better knowledge and awareness compared to the lower academic year students. Conclusion: There was low level of awareness among the premedical students, and had shown increased level of awareness in subsequent academic years. Undergraduate teachings should focus more on factual knowledge, skills, and screening for colon cancer. Students need to actively participate in public awareness about CRC through community programs in order to boost their knowledge. These initiatives by students can bring about changes in society as well.

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Lack of Knowledge and Negative Beliefs about Colorectal Cancer: FOBT and Dietary Risk Factors in Makkah, KSA

Universal Journal of Public Health ◽

10.13189/ujph.2018.060407 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 210-219

Author(s):

Hassan M. Bukhari

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Dietary Risk Factors ◽

Dietary Risk ◽

Negative Beliefs ◽

Lack Of Knowledge

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Dietary Risk-Related Colorectal Cancer Burden: Estimates From 1990 to 2019

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.690663 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Yujiao Deng ◽

Bajin Wei ◽

Zhen Zhai ◽

Yi Zheng ◽

Jia Yao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Cancer Death ◽

Dietary Factor ◽

Cancer Burden ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

Dietary Risk Factors ◽

Dietary Risk ◽

Life Years

Background: Colorectal cancer remains a public health problem worldwide. Dietary risk factors play a key role in the carcinogenesis and progression of colorectal cancer. This study aimed to explore the geographical and temporal trends in various dietary factor-related colorectal cancers.Methods: Data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study, including the deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), age-standardized rate (ASR), and summary exposure value (SEV) among 4 world regions, 11 age groups, 21 regions, and 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2019. The estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to evaluate the variation trend of ASR.Results: Dietary factors were the leading cause of colorectal cancer death and DALY rate, regardless of age. Dietary factor-related deaths and DALYs accounted for 32 and 34% of global colorectal cancer, respectively. Further analysis showed that low whole grain intake remained the leading cause of cancer death and DALY rate, followed by milk and calcium. Diets that were low in whole grains, milk, and calcium accounted for 81.61% of deaths and 81.64% of DALYs. Deaths and DALYs of dietary factors related to colorectal cancer grew by half from 1990 to 2019. All ASRs remained higher for men than women. Asia carried the highest colorectal cancer burden attributed to dietary risks, especially for East Asia [age-standardized death rate (ASDR): EAPC = 1.15, 95% CI:0.88–1.42; DALY: EAPC = 1.08, 95% CI:0.82–1.34]. The heavy burden also existed in high-middle and middle socio-demographic index (SDI) quintiles. China has always had the highest deaths and DALYs of colorectal cancer attributable to dietary risks, followed by the USA, India, and Japan.Conclusions: Large variations existed in the dietary risk-related colorectal cancer burdens among sexes, regions, and countries. More targeted interventions to address modifiable dietary risk factors would save 32% of deaths and 34% of DALYs for colorectal cancer.

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