Abstract:

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the risk perceptions and health beliefs of first-degree relatives of individuals who underwent surgery for a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted between January 2014 and December 2015 in the general surgery department of a teaching hospital. The universe of the study consisted of first-degree relatives (children, siblings, parents) of patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer. The sample included all first-degree relatives who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study during the specified period. Written and verbal consent was obtained from all participants after the study was approved by the ethics committee. Descriptive and sociodemographic characteristics and the health belief model scale were included in the data collection form. SPSS 15.0 package program was used for statistical analysis of the data. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic data. Mann-Whitney U, Student’s t, analysis of Variance, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used in the analysis of dependent and independent variables. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the data related to the factors that may affect participation in colonoscopy and fecal occult blood screening. Results: Participants included in the survey were between the ages of 21 and 75 years with a mean age of 47.69±11.20 years. Most of the participants were female (65%) and married (82%). Most participants did not use alcohol (92%) or cigarettes (73%). The mean body mass index of the participants was 26.42±4.51. Mean subscale scores were 48.14±6.54 [minimum (min)=26, maximum (max)=55] for confidence/benefit, 14.41±4.28 (min=6, max=26) for susceptibility, 16.19±3.86 (min=8, max=26) for barriers, 16.29±2.94 (min=7, max=25) for health motivation, and 16.73±3.43 (min=6, max=24) for seriousness. Conclusion: Our results clearly indicate that participation in colorectal screening is inadequate in this group. It is important to plan the necessary interventions to increase the screening participation of first-degree relatives who are at risk for colorectal cancer.

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