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Evaluation of the Knowledge Levels of 50-Year-Old and Older Individuals Regarding Colorectal Cancer

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Abstract

Our aim was to determine some risk factors for colorectal cancer and evaluate the knowledge levels about it among individuals aged 50 and over. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1161 patients aged 50 and over in 2014. The data were collected by a questionnaire form consisting of 46 questions. The chi square test and the logistic regression analysis were performed in the data analysis. The mean age of the participants was 57.9 ± 5.6, 60; 4 % were women, and 77.7 % were married. It was determined that 23.0 % of the elderly people were smokers, and 46.5 % did not do regular physical exercises. It was detected that 29.8 % had fatigue, 27.5 % had abdominal pain, 14.9 % had melena, and 10.3 % had constipation or diarrhea in the last 3 months. The mean colorectal cancer knowledge score was 6.84 ± 2.46. It was determined that the socio-demographic variables and the risk factors that were based on self-report of the elderly influenced the knowledge scores on colorectal cancer and its early diagnosis (p < 0.05). Consequently, it has been determined that the elderly people have the risk factors of colorectal cancer; however, they do not have adequate knowledge about this disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Izmir Public Health Directorate, Izmir, Turkey

    Ebru Turhan

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  1. Ebru Turhan
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Correspondence to Ebru Turhan.

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No conflict of interest was declared by the author.

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The author declared that this study has received no financial support.

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Turhan, E. Evaluation of the Knowledge Levels of 50-Year-Old and Older Individuals Regarding Colorectal Cancer. J Canc Educ 32, 467–475 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-016-1007-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-016-1007-4

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