Health Beliefs And Fear-Related Factors Regarding Colorectal Cancer Screenings: A Cross-Sectional And Correlational Study

Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world and is a type of cancer that can be intervened and prevented with early diagnosis. However, individuals' fears of getting cancer negatively affect their early diagnosis. The study aimed to investigate health beliefs and fear-related factors regarding colorectal cancer screenings with a cross-sectional and correlational research design. Methods: This research has a cross-sectional, correlational design. It included 620 participants who were 50 years old and older. The data were collected through the Participant Information Form, Colorectal Cancer Health Belief Model Scale, and Colorectal Cancer Fear Scale. The data were analysed with SPSS 20 software. Independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett tests, EFA, and Cronbach's alpha coefficients and item-total correlation tests were used to evaluate the data. Results: The mean Colorectal Cancer Fear Scale score of the participants was 27.99±7.68. There was a significant difference between individuals' fear total score and gender, family history of cancer, and smoking (p<0.05). There was a significant difference between. The scores for the factors of the CCHBMS and gender, presence of cancer in the family, smoking status, and the perception of seriousness (p<0.05). Conclusions: Turkish colorectal cancer fear scale was subjected to validity and reliability analysis and found to be appropriate. The colorectal cancer fear levels of the participants were found to be above the medium level, and it was found that having a family history of cancer and smoking status were effective on both fear of cancer and colorectal cancer health beliefs. Since women's fear and seriousness perception levels are higher, it is recommended that this group should be prioritized in future studies. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2025; 39(4)] Keywords: Colorectal cancer, fear, health belief, screening