Awareness of Colorectal Cancer among the Urban Population in the Klang Valley
- Author:
Cimmeran Kaur Sindhu
;
Anisha Kaur Nijar
;
Leong Pooi Yee
;
Li Zi Qi
;
Hong Chia Yin
;
Lalitha Malar
;
Ping Yein Lee
;
Kwa Siew Kim
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Colorectal cancer;
Cancer awareness;
Urban population;
Bowel/colorectal CAM
- From:Malaysian Family Physician
2019;14(3):18-27
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Malaysia. Awareness of
risk factors, symptoms and warning signs of CRC will help in early detection. This paper presents the
level of CRC awareness among the urban population in Malaysia.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 till December 2016 at three
government clinics in the Klang Valley. The validated Bowel Cancer Awareness Measure questionnaire
in both English and Malay was used. The mean knowledge scores for the warning signs and risk factors
of CRC in different socio-demographic groups were compared using ANOVA in SPSS version 23.
Statistical significance was set at p<0.05 and a 95% confidence level.
Results: Of the 426 respondents, 29.1% were unable to recall the warning signs and symptoms of
CRC. Average recall was less than two warning signs and symptoms (mean 1.62, SD 1.33). The mean
total knowledge score for CRC was 9.91 (SD 4.78), with a mean knowledge scores for warning signs
and risk factors at 5.27 (SD 2.74) and 4.64 (SD 2.78), respectively. Respondents with a higher level
of education were found to have higher level of knowledge regarding the warning signs of CRC. There
was a significant positive association between knowledge score for warning signs and level of confidence
in detecting warning signs. Regarding the total knowledge score for CRC, 3.3% of respondents scored
zero. For warning signs and risk factors, 8.2% and 8.5% of respondents had zero knowledge scores,
respectively.
Conclusions: Generally, awareness of CRC is poor among the urban population of Klang Valley.
Greater education and more confidence in detecting warning signs are significantly associated with
better knowledge of warning signs. CRC awareness programs should be increased to improve awareness.
- Full text:2.2019my0047.pdf
