Improving Colon Cancer Prevention in Poland. A Long Way Off
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Improving Colon Cancer Prevention in Poland. A Long Way Off Karolina Obiała 1 & Justyna Obiała 1 & Krzysztof Jeziorski 1,2 & Jakub Owoc 1 & Małgorzata Mańczak 1 & Robert Olszewski 1,3
# The Author(s) 2020
Abstract The aim of this study was to analyse knowledge on colon cancer prevention among patients of primary care and identify their sources of information. The questionnaire study was conducted among patients of 36 primary healthcare clinics in Poland between September 2018 and February 2019. Patients were interviewed separately by trained researchers. Over 39% of the primary health patients declared that their knowledge about colon cancer prevention is unsatisfactory. Information about colon cancer prevention varied according to sex, age and BMI. Men declared lower level of knowledge than women: 46% of men thought it was unsatisfactory compared with 36% of women (p = 0.003). Preventive recommendations were more often provided to patients over 60 years old (p < 0.01). Overweight and obese patients were more likely to receive recommendations on diet (p < 0.001) and physical activity (p < 0.001) than patients with normal weight. The most common source of information on colon cancer prevention was Internet (68%) and medical doctors (60%). There is a need for developing colon cancer prevention policy. Crucial aspect includes educational programs aimed at improving patient’s knowledge and involving medical staff. The policymakers should pay greater attention to cancer prevention policies and medical staff involved in prevention to quality of communication to make sure patients thoroughly understand information they are provided. Keywords Colon cancer . Prevention . Primary healthcare . Education . Communication
Introduction
Methods
Colon cancer accounts for the majority of digestive system cancers. Although its mortality has been decreasing in the twentyfirst century, the incidence rate is on the rise, and it is already one of the most common types of cancer among men and women [1, 2]. Prevention is the key in reducing risk of colon cancer as the leading risk factors for sporadic colorectal cancer such as obesity, high total caloric intake, high red meat consumption, high saturated fat intake, excess alcohol consumption, smoking and sedentary lifestyle are all modifiable [3]. The aim of this study was to analyse knowledge on colon cancer prevention among primary care patients and identify their sources of information.
The study was conducted in 36 primary healthcare clinics from central Poland in which 509 patients were asked about their opinion on receiving recommendations on proper nutrition, physical activity and medication care. The study was a part of a larger project investigating the role of primary healthcare clinics in education and prevention of diet-related diseases. A self-administered questionnaire for patients was used by trained researchers. The questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic data, lifestyle information including body mass index (BMI), history of colonoscopy within last year and pati
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