Perceived Barriers Related to Fecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Moderate Risk Individuals, Isfahan, Iran

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers and second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Every year nearly one million new cases of colorectal cancer are recognized around the world and nearly half of them lose their lives due to the disease. Researches shown that in early diagnosis of this cancer 90% of patients can be treated. The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) because of its low cost and simplicity has priority over other screening methods. The goal of this study was assessing the perceived barriers that affecting participating in colorectal cancer screening programs in moderate risk population. A case-control survey of 196 individuals over 50 years old was conducted in Esfahan. 98 of the target group were selected from laboratories while they came for doing FOBT test (Group A). The other 98-Individuals (Group B) were selected with cluster sampling by home interview. The Standardized questionnaire containedquestions about perceived barriers associated with performing FOBT. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics methods using SPSS v14. The mean score of perceived barriers in the first group was 40.9 and in the other group was 56.54 (p<0.001). Also all those people that performed FOBT in last year reported less perceived barrier (p<0.001). Lack of awareness, not being in priority, fear of cancer detection and lack of physician recommendation were some of barriers in non-referred to laboratory group. According to this study, a better understanding of barriers affecting the test performance, removing the barriers can be a useful step to increase rate of early detection and reduce rate of death, costs, and improve community health outcomes.