COMMUNITY (MIS)UNDERSTANDING OF COLORECTAL-CANCER TREATMENT

Background: A study was undertaken to assess community understanding o f colorectal cancer symptoms and colorectal cancer treatment. Methods: A computer-assisted telephone survey was undertaken to interview 1000 men and women aged 40-60 years. Results: Overall there was a consider able lack of information in the community about colorectal cancer symp toms and treatment. Men were less knowledgeable than women, and 28% of men were unable to name any symptoms of bowel cancer. Although surger y was mentioned by 53% of the sample, a third could not name any treat ments. Most responses to questions about the effects of treatment rela ted to chemotherapy-related disturbances and the possibility of having a colostomy bag postoperatively. Conclusions: There is inaccurate inf ormation in the community about colorectal cancer symptoms and treatme nt. This may inhibit involvement in screening programmes or delay pres entation for therapy, as a result of undue concern about the prospects of treatment.