Stomach Cancer: Understanding Public Attention to Risk Factors, Warning Signs and Screening Approaches, a Cross-Sectional Survey Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33687/ricosbiol.03.08.72Keywords:
Stomach cancer, Risk factors, symptoms, Screening, Cross-sectional studyAbstract
Stomach cancer (SC) maintains constituting a major cause of cancer-linked mortality globally and its prevalence elevates sharply, screening of the risk factors is important. The study objected to estimate the knowledge of risk factors especially H. pylori and warning symptoms and behavior towards SC screening tools among the general population in an Egyptian governorate. A cross-sectional survey was carried on 876 participants; 512 females and 364 males in Giza city along the period from September 2024 to December 2024 in form of self-designed questionnaire. The questions involve personal and demographic information, the individual’s general knowledge about SC potential risk factors, and associated signs. Another group stressed on how likely the participants undergo screening for SC and how important the idea of screening is? Ultimately, determine which sources of health information are the most motivated? The demographic criteria of 876 over 18 years of age responsive participants revealed 58.45% females and 41.55% males, 62.1% in mid-aged, 65.52% not reach college degree and 52% were working. The most recognized risk factors were H. pylori infection, smoking and eating a lot of salty, smoked, or pickled foods, obesity were big concerns (64.27%), (62.39%), and (52.05%) respectively. The majority of participants (94.06%) haven’t undergo screening despite of 85.16% of the participants believe that screening tests are important for early diagnosis. The main mentioned reason is the cost (62.74%) followed by fear (16.21%). The most mentioned sign linked to SC was stomach pain (75.68%), followed by unexplained weight loss (52.05%). As expected, the main information source was social media and internet (56%) while; healthcare providers constitute only (3.7%). There is an extreme need to elevate the public's awareness about the importance of early screening methods for stomach cancer and enhance trustable information sources as health providers advising.
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