Characteristics and attitudes of first round invitees in the Irish National Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme

Background/objectiveColorectal cancer (CRC) screening is proven to reduce CRC-related mortality. Faecal immunochemical testing (FIT)-positive clients in the Irish National CRC Screening Programme underwent colonoscopy. Round 1 uptake was 40.2%. We sought to identify barriers to participation by asse...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontline gastroenterology 2021-09, Vol.12 (5), p.374-379
Main Authors: O'Reilly, Susanne M, Hughes, Katie N, Mooney, Therese, Fitzpatrick, Patricia, O'Donoghue, Diarmuid, McNally, Sara, Codd, Mary, Ryan, Elizabeth, Doherty, Glen, Mason, Olivia, Mulcahy, Hugh E, Cullen, Garret
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitudes
Colonoscopy
Colorectal
Colorectal cancer
Education
Focus groups
Health insurance
Medical screening
Participation
Polls & surveys
Primary care
Questionnaires
Response rates
Socioeconomic factors
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Summary:Background/objectiveColorectal cancer (CRC) screening is proven to reduce CRC-related mortality. Faecal immunochemical testing (FIT)-positive clients in the Irish National CRC Screening Programme underwent colonoscopy. Round 1 uptake was 40.2%. We sought to identify barriers to participation by assessing knowledge of CRC screening and examining attitudes towards FIT test and colonoscopy.MethodsQuestionnaires based on a modified Champion’s Health Belief Model were mailed to 3500 invitees: 1000 FIT-positive, 1000 FIT-negative and 1500 non-participants. 44% responded: 550 (46%) FIT-positive, 577 (48%) FIT-negative and 69 (6%) non-responders (NR).Results25% of respondents (n=286) did not perceive a personal risk of cancer, did not perceive CRC to be a serious disease and did not perceive benefits to screening. These opinions were more likely to be expressed by men (p=0.035). One-fifth (n=251) found screening stressful. Fear of cancer diagnosis and test results were associated with stress. FIT-positive clients, women and those with social medical insurance were more likely to experience stress.ConclusionsThe CRC screening process causes stress to one-fifth of participants. Greater use of media and involvement of healthcare professionals in disseminating information on the benefits of screening may lead to higher uptake in round 2.
ISSN:2041-4137
2041-4145
DOI:10.1136/flgastro-2020-101417