Barriers of colorectal cancer screening test among adults in the Saudi Population: A Cross-Sectional study
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common form of cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Although CRC is curable if detected at an early stage, many barriers to screening have been reported. This study aimed to identify the potential barriers to CRC screening among the Saudi population aged ≥45 years. A cross-sectional study of randomly selected adults (aged ≥45 years) attending primary care clinics in Saudi Arabia completed a questionnaire to ascertain perceived barriers to CRC screening. The most reported barrier was a lack of physician recommendation. Fear of painful colonoscopy procedures and a lack of knowledge regarding the availability of the faecal occult blood test were also reported by more than half of patients. Overall, more barriers were perceived by those who had not previously undergone CRC screening tests compared to those who had. Given the commonality of lack of screening recommendations in primary care setting, these results emphasise the need for enhanced knowledge and training for primary care practitioners to increase CRC screening and detection rates.