Source: Colon Cancer Alliance
The Colon Cancer Alliance today released highlights of findings from a new survey, Colonoscopy Perceptions. The goal of the survey was to identify concerns and knowledge gaps about colonoscopies and to use those findings to better educate the public, especially those over 50 years of age or those who are at risk for colorectal cancer and/or other life-threatening gastrointestinal conditions.
“Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States,” said Andrew Spiegel, CEO of the Colon Cancer Alliance. “More than 142,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer this year, yet by getting tested, it could be prevented. The results from this survey reveal that Americans over the age of 50 forgo colonoscopies due in large part to fear. At the Colon Cancer Alliance, our goal is to use these findings to increase awareness about the importance of screenings and alleviate fears associated with the process.”
The survey was completed by 1,678 people and concluded on October 6, 2010. Some of the key findings of the survey include:
- Six out of 10 survey participants indicated they rely on the internet when seeking information about colonoscopy screening
- Seven out of 10 people age 50 years or older for whom the test was recommended, still had not had a colonoscopy primarily due to fears
- 73 percent of the participants said bowel prep remains the hardest part of the colonoscopy testing experience
- 50 percent of the participants found the colonoscopy procedure to be the easiest part of the colonoscopy testing experience
- Six out of 10 participants who had a colonoscopy but did not or don’t remember receiving materials from their health care provider would have felt more comfortable if their healthcare provider had given them materials explaining the process before the procedure
