Background: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in Iran and its early detection is necessary. This study is based on perception of people in the east of Iran toward CRC screening.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 1060 randomly selected individuals who referred to Razavi Hospital of Mashhad, Iran, between September the 1st, 2012 and February the 28th, 2013 as patients or their visitors involved in an interview to fill a questionnaire on CRC screening.
Results: The participants’ age ranged from 40 to 88 years (mean=55). More than 90% had no knowledge of CRC and screening tests. The most cited reasons for not having screening tests were “did not have any problem” and “did not think it was needed”. Although, older people had more knowledge of CRC (P=0.033), there was no relationship between gender, health insurance status, family history of individuals and their knowledge about CRC (P>0.050). Employment, education and higher income had positive effect on the perception of people toward CRC screening (P<0.050).
Conclusion: Lack of knowledge in people in lower socio-economical class with limited literacy is the most important barrier to CRC screening. As such, designing educational programs involving physicians and media is important to improve CRC screening rates.