Knowledge and Awareness of Colorectal Cancer among General Public of Kuwait

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer and also the fourth most common cause of cancer related death in both men and women worldwide. The CRC is considered to be the second killer in Kuwait after breast cancer. Aim: to assess and identify the level of knowledge and awareness of colorectal cancer with regards to risk factors, symptoms and screening/imaging procedures among general public in the State of Kuwait. Method: A total of 1000 questionnaires were distributed and 675 questionnaires were completed, thus giving a response rate of 67.5%. The questionnaire was split into 4 categories representing demographic variables, risk factors, symptoms of CRC and awareness of diagnostic procedures. Statistical analysis was carried out using non-parametric test K-W. Results: It showed that 75% of the participants had heard about CRC. The most frequent risk factor that was chosen was the genetic factors and family history (73.5%) with P ˂ 0.05; however, the minimal risk factor was diabetes (31%). Most of the symptoms found to be related to colon rectal cancer were bloody stool, lower abdominal pain, obstructed intestine, and change in the nature of the exit but the least common symptom was due to anemia (33%). MRI was identified to be the most frequent diagnostic procedure (36%) followed by CT scan (31%). On the other hand, there were 187 (27.7%) of the participants who had limited knowledge about these different diagnostic procedures. Conclusion: The need for public awareness about diabetes as an important risk factor of CRC is necessary. Public seminars, school visits and social media will have important role in educating the public with regards to symptoms and diagnostic procedures of CRC.

Are women in Kuwait aware of breast cancer and its diagnostic procedures?

The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge and awareness of women in Kuwait with regard to risk factors, symptoms and diagnostic procedures of breast cancer. A total of 521 questionnaires were distributed among women in Kuwait. Results showed that 72% of respondents linked breast cancer factors to family history, while 69.7% scored abnormal breast enlargement as the most detectable symptom of the disease. Some 84% of participants had heard about self-examination, but knowledge about mammograms was limited to 48.6% and only 22.2% were familiar with diagnostic procedures. Some 22.9% of respondents identified the age over 40 years as the reasonable age to start mammogram screening. Risk factor awareness was independent on age groups (p>0.05), but both high education and family history increased the likelihood of postivie answers; the majority knew about a few factors such as aging, pregnancy after age 30, breast feeding for short time, menopause after age of 50, early puberty, and poor personal hygiene. In conclusion, 43.1% of participants had an overall good knowledge of breast cancer with regards to symptoms, risk factors and breast examination. Very highly significant associations (p<0.005) were evident for all groups except for respondents distributed by nationality (p=0.444). Early campaigns for screening the breast should be recommended to eliminate the confusion of wrong perceptions about malignant mammary disease.