Colorectal cancer risk factors and colorectal cancer screening awareness levels in adults applied to fhcs

Colorectal cancers are the third most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide and are the second most common in mortality after lung cancer. According to the Health Statistics Yearbook 2018, colorectal cancer is the third most common in Turkey in the incidence of 10 cancer types by gender, for both men and women. The purpose of this service is to determine the awareness levels of colorectal cancer risk factors and colorectal cancer screening in those who apply to family health centers. This study is of descriptive cross-sectional type and its population is composed of 83458 adult individuals aged 20 and over registered in three Family Health Centers (FHC) and two district FACs in the city center of Tokat. The minimum sample size was calculated as 784 persons with the formula for calculating a sample from a group with a certain population. The field study was completed with 823 participants between 01.12.2019 and 31.04.2020. The data of the study was obtained by going to the ASMs and conducting a face-to-face survey with individuals who agreed to participate in the study. In the statistical analysis, the data were summarized as mean, standard deviation, number, and percentage. The Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. Statistical significance level was accepted as p <0.05. The average age of the participants is 40,93 ± 14.06, %49,8 (410) of them are male, %52,0 (428) who have knowledge about colorectal cancer screening tests, and when they apply to family physicians for any reason, they are those mentioned to them %27,0 (222), those who think screening tests are necessary %95,6 (787), those who have screening tests %14,6 (120), those who know which cancers are routinely screened in our country, %46,8 (385), colorectal cancer Those who knew from what age were screened were %29,3 (241). Among the most common reasons for not having screening tests, the frequency of "not knowing that screening test is performed" was %17,5 (108). %31,0 of those who were married were informed about the screening tests by their family physician, while this rate was %14,5 for single people and a statistically significant difference was found between them (p<0,05). A statistically significant difference was found according to the occupational group in terms of informing about the screening tests by the family physician (p<0,05). A statistically significant difference was found in terms of income and informing about screening tests by the family physician (p <0,05). Cancer screening for early diagnosis was %33,9 for women and %16,3 for men, and a statistically significant difference was found (p<0,05). According to individuals under 50 years of age, %7,1 of those who had bowel cancer screening tests before, %35,0 of those who knew 50 years and over, and a statistically significant difference was found between them (p<0,05). As a result of the study findings, the frequency of knowing the presence of bowel cancer screening tests in participants is %48,0. Information source distribution for bowel cancer screening tests of the participants; 52.8% of healthcare workers, %14,7 of relatives and friends, %15,0 of print media (newspaper, magazine, etc.), %17,5 of TV and internet. Informing about screening tests by family physicians in individuals is %27,0. When asked about the necessity of performing bowel cancer screening tests in the participants; While %95,6 find it necessary to perform a screening test, %4,4 say it is not necessary. It is known that the most important control strategy to be applied in cancer cases is prevention and early diagnosis. In primary care, family physicians should inform individuals in the screening age group who apply to FHCs about screening tests, mention the importance, and encourage them to have screening tests. All risk groups should be enlightened about early symptoms and risk factors of cancers. Keywords: Tokat, Colorectal Cancer Screening, Awareness, FHC,