AWARENESS ABOUT COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING AND RISK FACTORS AMONG MEDICAL STAFF IN MOSUL CITY
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and, in Iraq, is the leading cancer among men after lung cancer and among women after breast cancer. Awareness among medical staff of screening methods and risk factors is central to early detection and improved cure rates. Aim: To assess awareness of colorectal cancer screening and risk factors among medical staff in Mosul City, Iraq. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 medical staff (100 physicians, 100 dentists, 100 pharmacists, and 100 nurses) across four hospitals and two dental centers in Mosul City. Data were collected via direct interviews using a pre-validated structured questionnaire after verbal consent. Awareness was scored and categorized as good (8-12), intermediate (4-7), or low (0-3); group differences were tested with the chi-square test. Results: The largest proportions of participants were aged 20-30 years (58.3%) and female (58.7%); 10.5% reported a family history of CRC. Awareness of risk factors was intermediate in 46.5%, good in 37.5%, and low in 16.0% of participants, with the highest awareness for family history of CRC (69.0%) and the lowest for type 2 diabetes mellitus as a risk factor (24.8%). Awareness of screening was intermediate in 55.5%, good in 30.0%, and low in 14.5%; colonoscopy was the most recognized method (76.2%) and CT colonography the least (30.5%). Physicians showed the highest awareness of both risk factors (57.0% good) and screening (45.0% good), while nurses showed the lowest (21.0% and 11.0% good, respectively; p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Conclusion: Awareness of colorectal cancer screening methods and risk factors among medical staff in Mosul City is predominantly intermediate, with marked differences among professional groups. Targeted educational interventions, particularly for nurses and dentists, are recommended to strengthen early detection efforts.