Fear as a Barrier to Asymptomatic Colonoscopy Scre

Authors: Corey H Basch Charles E Basch Patricia Zybert Randi L Wolf

Publish Date: 2016/02/01

Volume: 41, Issue: 4, Pages: 818-824

PDF Link

Abstract

This study identified barriers to colonoscopy in a highrisk population and examined associations between barriers and both intention to comply with physician recommendation to receive colonoscopy and documented receipt of colonoscopy Participants enrollees in a randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of educational interventions to promote colorectal cancer screening were all 50+ years old and out of compliance with recommended screening guidelines Direct financial cost of the procedure was not a barrier The most commonly cited barriers were being afraid of the colonoscopy procedure 431  embarrassment 423  having to take a powerful laxative 362  fear of cancer 312  and fear of sedation 303  There were dose–response relationships between barriers and both intention to comply with physician recommendation of colonoscopy 0 1 2 3 barriers 889 790 692 and 600  intending to comply respectively linear trend χ2 = 279 p = 000 and documented receipt of a colonoscopy 0 1 2 3 barriers 217 216 85 120  respectively linear trend χ2 = 84 p = 004 Only 69  of the 102 expressing both fear of procedure and concern about taking a powerful laxative had a colonoscopy These findings highlight the need to address patients’ fear and suggest the importance of offering alternative colorectal cancer screening tests ClinicalTrialsgov Identifier NCT02392143

Keywords: