Risk Factors and Screening Behaviours of Individuals Aged 50 and over years for Colorectal Cancer

Objective: To determine the risk factors and the screening behaviours of individuals aged 50 and over years for colorectal cancer. Method: The study was conducted as cross-sectionally and it included 419 individuals enrolled in a Family Health Centre by a systematic sampling method. Descriptive Characteristics Form, Colorectal Cancer Risk Form and Screening Behaviours of Individuals for Colon Cancer Form were used to collect data. Results: It was determined that 74.4% of individuals were overweight or obese, 65.9% had a chronic disease, 51.1% were not exercising regularly. It was found that 24.3% of individuals knew of the early diagnosis tests of colorectal cancer and 14.8% of individuals have undergone a test for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Knowledge about early diagnosis tests, family member with colon cancer and bowel disease were the main factors that increased rate to undergo an early diagnosis tests. Conclusion: In the study, there is a high prevelance of colorectal cancer risk factors and undergone a test for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer was low. The study findings suggest individuals should be informed about preventive lifestyle behaviours from colorectal cancer and early diagnosis tests for colorectal cancer. Keywords: Colorectal cancer, risk factor, screening