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Barriers to screening colonoscopy in an urban population: a study to help focus further efforts to attain full compliance

  • Original Article
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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Awareness of colorectal cancer and decision for colorectal cancer screening is influenced by multiple factors including ethnicity, level of education, and adherence to regular medical follow up.

Objective

Our survey aimed at assessing barriers to colorectal cancer screening among urban population.

Design

This study is a survey of the general population.

Setting

This study was made at a local community in the downtown area of a metropolitan city.

Patients/subjects

The study population for this survey included 2000 non-institutionalized residents from local community of Brooklyn downtown area of City of Brooklyn, NY, USA. All participants were 50 years or older.

Intervention

No intervention was done.

Main outcome measurement

The survey questionnaire collected information about demographic, socioeconomic level, awareness of various cancers and their screening methods, and awareness of screening colonoscopy.

Results

Colonoscopy was identified as the best screening test by 31 % of the subjects. Pain and discomfort was the major reason for not having a colonoscopy. The fear of a complication declined significantly after the first colonoscopy but fear of pain and discomfort increased. Difficulty with bowel preparation before a colonoscopy was a significant problem; it discouraged significant number of participants from having another colonoscopy.

Limitation

This study is limited by its small sample size.

Conclusion

Physician/family and peer influence seems important but influencing only a minority of subjects. Fear of complications should be allayed using accurate statistical information. Pain should be significantly diminished and/or eliminated during colonoscopy. Future research should focus to minimize complexity and discomfort associated with bowel preparation.

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Abbreviations

CRC:

Colorectal cancer

CT:

Computerized tomogram

DNA:

Deoxynucleic acid

Flex. Sig.:

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

Laxative Prep:

Laxative preparation

PCP:

Primary care physician

MAC:

Monitored anesthesia care

TNM:

Tumor node metastasis

CT:

Computed tomography

GI:

Gastrointestinal

TV:

Television

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine Elmhurst Hospital Center, 7901 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY, 11373, USA

    Vishal Ghevariya

  2. Division of Gastroenterology, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, 121, Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA

    Sushil Duddempudi, Madhavi Reddy & Sury Anand

  3. Department of Medicine, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, 121, Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA

    Nehal Ghevariya

Authors
  1. Vishal Ghevariya
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  2. Sushil Duddempudi
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  3. Nehal Ghevariya
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  4. Madhavi Reddy
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  5. Sury Anand
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vishal Ghevariya.

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Ghevariya, V., Duddempudi, S., Ghevariya, N. et al. Barriers to screening colonoscopy in an urban population: a study to help focus further efforts to attain full compliance. Int J Colorectal Dis 28, 1497–1503 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-013-1708-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-013-1708-7

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