The prevalence of risk factors for the developing colon cancer among the general population

Kolorektalni karcinom odnosno karcinom koji nastaje u području debelog crijeva predstavlja jedan od ključnih javnozdravstvenih problema širom svijeta. Rizik za razvoj tijekom života iznosi oko 5%, a veći dio slučajeva dijagnosticiran je kod osoba starije dobne skupine. Točan uzrok bolesti je nepoznat, no postoje mnogobrojni promjenjivi i nepromjenjivi čimbenici koji mogu utjecati na njegovu pojavnost. Današnje terapijske opcije poboljšavaju kliničke ishode, smanjuju smrtnost, no provedeni postupci praćeni su značajnim porastom troškova liječenja. Istraživanje koje je provedeno za cilj je imalo ustanoviti prevalenciju rizičnih čimbenika koji doprinose razvoju kolorektalnog karcinoma u općoj populaciji na području Republike Hrvatske. Period provedbe istraživanja bio je od 15.06.2021. godine do 09.09.2021. godine. Sudjelovalo je ukupno 1.747 ispitanika, najveći dio sačinjavale su žene, njih 1.486 (85%). Osim prevalencije rizičnih čimbenika za razvoj karcinoma istražena su i mišljenja te stavovi opće populacije o karcinomu debelog crijeva, nacionalnom programu ranog otkrivanja karcinoma debelog crijeva te o testu na okultno odnosno nevidljivo krvarenje. Rezultati istraživanja upućuju na zaključak da velika većina ispitanika posjeduje barem dva rizična čimbenika koja doprinose razvoju karcinoma debelog crijeva. Ispitanici koji navode da boluju ili su prethodno bolovali od upalnih bolesti crijeva imaju veću učestalost konzumacije crvenog mesa, suhomesnatih proizvoda i konzervirane hrane. Većina ispitanika upoznata je s Nacionalnim programom prevencije karcinoma debelog crijeva. Ispitanici smatraju strah, neupućenost i nedostatak vremena najčešćim razlozima da ne sudjeluju u provođenju nacionalnog programa prevencije karcinoma debelog crijeva.Colorectal cancer is one of the key public health problems worldwide. The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 5%, and most cases are diagnosed in the elderly. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but there are many variable and unchanging factors that can affect its occurrence. Today's therapeutic approaches improve clinical outcomes, reduce mortality, but the procedures performed are accompanied by a significant increase in treatment costs. The aim of the research was to establish the prevalence of risk factors that contribute to the development of colorectal cancer in the general population in the Republic of Croatia. The research implementation period was from June 15 until September 9, 2021, years. A total of 1.747 respondents participated, most of whom were females, 1.486 (85%). In addition to the prevalence of risk factors for cancer development, the opinions, and attitudes of the general population on colon cancer, the national program for early detection of colorectal cancer and the test for occult or invisible bleeding were investigated. The results of the study suggest that most respondents possess at least two risk factors that contribute to the development of colon cancer. Respondents who report suffering from or have previously suffered from inflammatory bowel disease have a higher frequency of consumption of red meat, cured meats and canned foods. Most respondents who state that someone in their family suffers or has previously suffered from colorectal cancer are familiar with the National Colon Cancer Prevention Program. Respondents believe that fear, ignorance, and lack of time are the most common reasons for not responding to the call of the national program for the prevention of colon cancer