Knowledge, beliefs, and barriers relevant to colorectal cancer screening in an urban population: A pilot study

A sample of 115 urban, working-class, predominantly minority men and women was interviewed by telephone to assess knowledge, beliefs, and barriers rel evant to colorectal cancer (CRC) and CRC screening. More than half (53.9%) were unable to name a CRC screening test. Misconceptions were common. Dispe lling inaccurate beliefs, establishing an individual's preference for fecal occult blood tests or flexible sigmoidoscopy, and helping individuals take a proactive role in the receipt of CRC screening are important goals for h ealth education efforts aimed at increasing rates of CRC screening. Partici pants' willingness to engage in detailed telephone conversations about CRC and CRC screening was encouraging.