Understanding Student Knowledge: A Survey on Colorectal Cancer Awareness

Abstract

One of the most dangerous tumors in Asia, colorectal cancer (CRC), which includes cancers of the colon and rectum, is second only to lung cancer in terms of mortality. The primary objective of this study was to better understand this terrible disease, therefore it set out to assess the level of colorectal cancer knowledge among M. Phil. biotechnology students in an Asian environment. A precisely created questionnaire with 15 fundamental CRC-related questions was used to gauge their level of knowledge. 37 students in total actively engaged in this poll, 31 of them were female and 6 of whom were male. The results of the survey were startling, demonstrating how little these students knew about CRC. 78% of the students in the first lesson on causative agents incorrectly believed that CRC was a bacterial disease. Following a discussion about their proximity to CRC victims, more than 95% of respondents said they had never been aware of any CRC instances in their relatives or nearby neighborhood. 38% of students incorrectly believed that CRC could be inherited from parents who had the disease in the third category, which focused on the disease's perceived transmission methods. A startling 97% of students wrongly believed that medicine alone could treat CRC in the final portion, while 68% believed that surgical intervention was required. This study therefore emphasizes how important it is to educate Asian communities about colorectal cancer. These results highlight the need for educational programs that attempt to dispel myths and increase understanding about this deadly disease since communities that are well-informed and aware are better able to effectively prevent, detect, and manage CRC.