Open AccessColorectal cancer screening: discussions with first degree relatives
Author(s) -
Harris Margaret Anne,
Treloar Carla Justine,
Byles Julie Ellen
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-842x.1998.tb01502.x
Subject(s) - first degree relatives , medicine , asymptomatic , colorectal cancer , family history , colonoscopy , family medicine , colorectal cancer screening , focus group , occult , test (biology) , screening test , cancer , gynecology , alternative medicine , pathology , paleontology , marketing , biology , business
Screening by faecal occult blood test and colonoscopy is recommended for first degree relatives of people with colorectal cancer. While it is known that screening participation among relatives is low, relatives' beliefs and attitudes towards screening have not been explored at an indepth level. In this study, four focus group discussions with first degree relatives of people with colorectal cancer were held. Discussions were audio‐taped, transcribed verbatim and the data were independently coded and analysed by the authors. Three main themes were identified: risk, understanding, and screening. Perceived risk was determined by family history, age and gender. Of concern, there was limited understanding of the asymptomatic nature of screening with most relatives initially ‘screened’ after consulting a doctor with colorectal symptoms. These findings need to be considered in screening programs.