Colorectal Cancer Screening in Saudi Arabia: Sociodemographic Influences and Beliefs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/saludcyt20251226Keywords:
Colorectal cancer, Cancer beliefs, Cancer screening, Screening behaviorAbstract
Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC), the most common cancer among Saudi men, is a significant health concern. This study explored how beliefs and sociodemographic factors influenced screening behaviors in individuals aged 45–74 in Al-Kharj. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted in Al-Kharj in May and June 2024, used a web-based survey to assess cancer awareness and prevention beliefs among men aged 45–74. A purposeful sampling strategy with targeted advertising ensured demographic representation. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression to examine the influence of sociodemographic factors on CRC screening behaviors. Results: Of the 70 participants, 70% had previously undergone colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, with most expressing positive views about cancer outcomes and care. Those who had never been screened were more likely to believe that screening is only necessary when symptoms are present (X² = 16.045, p < 0.01), view screening as having a high risk of leading to unnecessary surgery (X² = 12.934, p = 0.024), and feel deterred by concerns about potential findings (X² = 14.27, p = 0.014). Regression analysis indicated that men, except those aged 45–54, were significantly more likely to have undergone screening than women (OR = 3.76, 95% CI = 1.104–12.801). No significant associations were found with other sociodemographic variables. Conclusion: Cancer screening behavior is influenced by beliefs about cancer screening, but the impact is minimal, suggesting a broad reach across various socioeconomic backgrounds
References
1. Elwali NE, Jarrah O, Alzahrani SG, Alharbi MB, Alhejaily AG, Alsharm AA, et al. Colorectal cancer in Saudi Arabia: The way forward. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2023;24(1):13. https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2023.24.1.13
2. Almatroudi A. The incidence rate of colorectal cancer in Saudi Arabia: An observational descriptive epidemiological analysis. Int J Gen Med. 2020;977–90. https://doi.org/10.2147/ijgm.s277272
3. Ahmad AS, Mayya AM. A new tool to predict lung cancer based on risk factors. Heliyon. 2020;6(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03402
4. Alqahtani MZ, Mohammed AG, Alsamghan AS, Bharti RK, Alsharm AA, Alshahrani MT, et al. Risk factors of colorectal cancer among Saudi Population: Case-control study. J Family Med Prim Care. 2020;9(9):5035–40. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_895_20
5. Alyabsi M, Alhumaid A, Allah-Bakhsh H, Alkelya M, Aziz MA. Colorectal cancer in Saudi Arabia as the proof-of-principle model for implementing strategies of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine in healthcare. EPMA Journal. 2020;11(1):119–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13167-019-00186-x
6. Hakami RA, Shahar AI, Alharbi SA, Aburasain KS, Bakri AA, Kaabi FM, et al. Assessment of colorectal cancer lifestyle risk factors distribution and colonoscopy utilization among a sample from the south of Saudi Arabia. International Surgery Journal. 2020;7(12):3907–12. https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20205342
7. AlZaabi A, AlHarrasi A, AlMusalami A, AlMahyijari N, Al Hinai K, ALAdawi H, et al. Early onset colorectal cancer: Challenges across the cancer care continuum. Annals of Medicine and Surgery. 2022;82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104453
8. Clark G, Strachan JA, Carey FA, Godfrey T, Irvine A, McPherson A, et al. Transition to quantitative faecal immunochemical testing from guaiac faecal occult blood testing in a fully rolled-out population-based national bowel screening programme. Gut. 2021;70(1):106–13. https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2019-320297
9. Randel KR, Schult AL, Botteri E, Hoff G, Bretthauer M, Ursin G, et al. Colorectal cancer screening with repeated fecal immunochemical test versus sigmoidoscopy: baseline results from a randomized trial. Gastroenterology. 2021;160(4):1085–96. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2020.11.037
10. Zacharakis G, Almasoud A, Aldossari K. Colorectal cancer screening challenges in Saudi Arabia. A comprehensive review article. Archives of Medical Science-Civilization Diseases. 2022;7(1):24–32. https://doi.org/10.5114/amscd.2022.119965
11. Alghamdi AG, Almuhanna ZJA, Hulayqah ZHMB, Algharsan FAG, Alghamdi HA, Alzahrani HMA, et al. Public awareness of colorectal cancer screening in the al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia, 2022. Cureus. 2022;14(12). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.32386
12. Wong FMF. Factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practice towards colorectal cancer and its screening among people aged 50–75 years. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(8):4100. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084100
13. Nielsen JB, Berg-Beckhoff G, Leppin A. To do or not to do–a survey study on factors associated with participating in the Danish screening program for colorectal cancer. BMC Health Serv Res. 2021;21:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-06023-6
14. Bachman AS. Is this going to be the end? Understanding problematic integration among Appalachian patients in colorectal cancer screening navigation. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-06023-6
15. Hooten S. Utilizing Multimodal Communication Strategies to Improve Average Risk Women Veteran Patient Participation in Returning Colorectal Fecal Immunochemical Test Kits. 2022;
16. Tuschick E, Barker J, Giles EL, Jones S, Hogg J, Kanmodi KK, et al. Barriers and facilitators for people with severe mental illness accessing cancer screening: A systematic review. Psychooncology. 2024;33(1):e6274. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.6274
17. Alshaer O, Binobaid A, Alqahtani M, Alabdullah M, Assiri A, AlGossadi H, et al. Colorectal awareness in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review of cross-sectional studies. J Healthc Sci. 2021;1:66–76. https://doi.org/10.52533/johs.2021.1109
18. AlAyadhi D, Alyousif G, Alharbi A, Alnjeidi Z, El-Metwally A. Systematic review: awareness, knowledge, attitude, and practice of cancer screening program in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Journal. 2020;2(4):151–61. https://doi.org/10.2991/dsahmj.k.200626.001
19. Alghamdi AA, Almutairi AH, Aldosari FS, Al-Owayed AM, AlOtaibi HK, Alghamdi TA, et al. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of colorectal cancer screening among primary healthcare physicians in Riyadh second health cluster. Cureus. 2022;14(11). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.32069
20. Shaukat A, Levin TR. Current and future colorectal cancer screening strategies. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022;19(8):521–31. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-022-00612-y
21. Clouston SAP, Acker J, Rubin MS, Chae DH, Link BG. Fundamental social causes of inequalities in colorectal cancer mortality: A study of behavioral and medical mechanisms. Heliyon. 2020;6(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03484
22. Alduraywish SA, Altamimi LA, Almajed AA, Kokandi BA, Alqahtani RS, Alghaihb SG, et al. Barriers of colorectal cancer screening test among adults in the Saudi Population: A Cross-Sectional study. Prev Med Rep. 2020;20:101235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101235
23. Aden D, Zaheer S, Raj S. Challenges faced in the cancer diagnosis and management—COVID-19 pandemic and beyond—Lessons for future. Heliyon. 2022;8(12). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12091
24. Franco-García JM, Castillo-Paredes A, Rodríguez-Redondo Y, Carlos-Vivas J, García-Carrillo RM, Denche-Zamorano Á. Greater physical activity levels are associated with lower prevalence of tumors and risk of cancer in Spanish population: A cross-sectional study. Heliyon. 2024;10(7). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29191
25. Liu XC, Sun KN, Zhu HR, Dai YL, Liu XF. Diagnostic and prognostic value of double-negative T cells in colorectal cancer. Heliyon. 2024;10(14). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34645
26. Bartlett J. Introduction to sample size calculation using G* Power. Eur J Social Psychol. 2019. https://doi.org/10.14341/dm13112-6950
27. Kang H. Sample size determination and power analysis using the G* Power software. J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2021;18. https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2021.18.17
28. Abuadas M. Jordanian men’s health beliefs, intentions, and behaviors regarding prostate cancer screening. Published doctoral dissertation, The University of Jordan, Jordan. 2015. https://doi.org/10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.13.5377
29. Statistics IS. IBM Corp. Released 2013. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. Google Search. 2013. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315545899-7
30. Juul FE, Cross AJ, Schoen RE, Senore C, Pinsky PF, Miller EA, et al. Effectiveness of Colonoscopy Screening vs Sigmoidoscopy Screening in Colorectal Cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(2):e240007–e240007. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.000
31. Le Bonniec A, Meade O, Fredrix M, Morrissey E, O’Carroll RE, Murphy PJ, et al. Exploring non-participation in colorectal cancer screening: A systematic review of qualitative studies. Soc Sci Med. 2023;329:116022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116022
32. Silver IA, Kelsay JD. The moderating effects of population characteristics: a potential biasing factor when employing non-random samples to conduct experimental research. J Exp Criminol. 2023;1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-021-09478-7
33. Kikondu PM. Esophageal Cancer Awareness Among Patients Attending Out-patient Clinics at Kenyatta National Hospital. University of Nairobi; 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v13i1.17
34. He Y, Xu T, Fang J, Tong L, Gao W, Zhang Y, et al. Trends in colorectal cancer screening in the United States, 2012 to 2020. J Med Screen. 2023;30(3):125–33. https://doi.org/10.1177/09691413231174163
35. Singh S, Sharma P, Sarma DK, Kumawat M, Tiwari R, Verma V, et al. Implication of obesity and gut microbiome dysbiosis in the etiology of colorectal cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2023;15(6):1913. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15061913
36. Mensah KB, Mensah ABB. Cancer control in Ghana: A narrative review in global context. Heliyon. 2020;6(8). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04564
37. Goldberg DS. Social justice, health inequalities and methodological individualism in US health promotion. Public Health Ethics. 2012;5(2):104–15. https://doi.org/10.1093/phe/phs013
38. Meneses-Urrea LA, Vaquero-Abellán M, Arenas DV, Sandoval NB, Hernández-Carrillo M, Molina-Recio G. Colorectal and gastric cancer and its association with dietary patterns in Colombia. Heliyon. 2024;10(14). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34734.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ahmad Mahmoud Saleh (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Unless otherwise stated, associated published material is distributed under the same licence.
