Knowledge, attitude, and practice of interns and practitioners graduated from the Medical Universities of Shahid Beheshti, Tehran, and Iran about colorectal cancer screening between 2014-2015

Background: Cancer is the third most common cause of death in Iran. Colorectal cancer is an ideal tumor for screening. Therefore, early diagnosis through screening can reduce its prevalence and mortality. On the other hand, knowledge of practitioners about screening programs has a direct relationship with their performance. Methods: In the present cross-sectional-educational study, knowledge, attitude, and practice of medical interns and practitioners about colorectal cancer screening were evaluated in 2014-2015 and were reviewed using Chi2 and ANOVA statistical tests. Results: From among 300 physicians surveyed, 17.3% knew the age of the screening for colorectal cancer, 73% knew the average-risk, and 68% knew the high-risk criteria correctly. About 48% of the respondents recommended Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) method for population at medium risk and 75% of recommended colonoscopy as a screening method in high-risk populations. Also, 90% of physicians knew the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer. About half of the practitioners asked their patients about risk factors and advised them to undergo screening. About 55% of the participants who had family members needing screening decided to undergo screening and 6.3% of them who needed screening, decided to undergo screening. Conclusion: Colorectal cancer is growing in the country; a fact that can be prevented. The results of the present study showed that practitioners have little knowledge of appropriate age of screening and screening methods and insufficient attitudes and actions about this issue. It is recommended that general practitioners and family physicians, who are the first lines of encounter with the patients, be properly trained.