Rjs. Thomas et Va. Clarke, COMMUNITY (MIS)UNDERSTANDING OF COLORECTAL-CANCER TREATMENT, Australian and New Zealand journal of surgery, 68(5), 1998, pp. 328-330
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.