Colorectal cancer: association between sociodemographic variables and the adherence to cancer screening

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a worldwide health problem whose control depends on public policy establishment and effective prevention and screening programs. In Brazil, there are few studies related to adherence to screening methods. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between demographic and socioeconomic to adherence to CRC screening with fecal immunochemical test (FIT) among average-risk individuals for CRC. METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, conducted between March 2015 and April 2016, 1,254 asymptomatic individuals aged 50–75 years, participating in a hospital screening campaign in Brazil, were invited to participate in the study. RESULTS: The adherence rate to FIT was 55.6% (697/1,254). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, patients aged 60–75 years (odds ratio (OR)=1.30; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–1.66; p=0.03), religious belief (OR=2.04; 95% CI: 1.34–3.11; p<0.01), previous fecal occult blood test (OR=2.07; 95% CI: 1.55–2.76; p<0.01), and full/part-time working status (OR=0.66; 95% CI: 0.49–0.89; p<0.01) were independently associated with adherence to CRC screening. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study highlight the importance of considering the labor aspects when implementing screening programs, suggesting that campaigns conducted in the workplace and repeated over the years may be more effective.