Colorectal cancer screening among Chinese adults: decision making and associate factors

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programme targeting adults aged 50-70 by offering free CRC education and Faecal Immunochemical Tests (FITs) was launched in Hong Kong. Community elderly centres recruited participants via CRC health education talks. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the decision making process for participants in the FIT screening, specifically focusing on whom participants would consider during the decision-making process, decisionmaking process satisfaction, and decision regret. Method: A 0.5 hour standardized videotaped education session followed by a presentation by trained instructors focusing on risks, symptoms, and screening methods was held before screening. A questionnaire was administered to 275 participants after the FIT screening to investigate whom they considered in the decision making process (i.e., self, family members, and professionals), decision-making process satisfaction, and the Decision Regret Scale (DRS). RESULTS: Half (n=143) of the participants considered all three parties to some extent before making the decision to join the FIT screening. Almost all participants were satisfied with their decision-making process (98.2%). Decision regret was significantly associated with satisfaction with the decision-making process (r=-.41,p<.01). More consideration of self was associated with a lessened decision regret (r=-.25, p<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Half of the respondents considered self, family members, and professionals before making the decision to participate in the FIT screening. Most participants were satisfied with their decisions. Satisfaction with the decision-making process and consideration of self were associated with less decision regret. This programme successfully helped participants make CRC screening decisions with low regret and high satisfaction and thus deserves promotion.