- Title
- Current state of medical-advice-seeking behaviour for symptoms of colorectal cancer: determinants of failure and delay in medical consultation
- Creator
- Courtney, R. J.; Paul, C. L.; Sanson-Fisher, R. W,; Macrae, F.; Attia, J.; McEvoy, M.
- Relation
- Colorectal Disease Vol. 14, Issue 5, p. e222-e229
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-1318.2012.02881.x
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2012
- Description
- Aim: There are few data on the factors associated with healthcare-seeking behaviour for symptoms of colorectal cancer. This study describes the determinants of failure and delay in seeking medical advice for rectal bleeding and change in bowel habit. Method: In total, 1592 persons (56–88 years) were randomly selected from the Hunter Community Study and mailed a questionnaire. Results: In all, 18% (60/332) of respondents experiencing rectal bleeding and 20% (39/195) reporting change in bowel habit had never consulted a doctor. The rate of delay (> 1 month) for each symptom was 18% and 37%. The reasons for delay included the assumption that the symptoms were not serious or that they were benign. Triggers for seeking medical advice varied. Healthcare-seeking behaviour for rectal bleeding had not significantly improved compared with a previous community-based study. Conclusion: The seriousness of symptoms, importance of early detection and prompt medical consultation must be articulated in health messages to at-risk persons.
- Subject
- Colorectal neoplasm; early detection of cancer; primary healthcare; symptom
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1065993
- Identifier
- uon:18007
- Identifier
- ISSN:1462-8910
- Rights
- This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Courtney RJ, Paul CL, Sanson-Fisher RW, Macrae F, Attia JR, McEvoy MA, 'Current state of medical-advice-seeking behaviour for symptoms of colorectal cancer: determinants of failure and delay in medical consultation', Colorectal Disease, 14 e222-e229 (2012), which has been published in final form at 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2012.02881.x. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
- Reviewed
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