[An awareness campaign on the diagnosis and prevention of colon and rectal cancer. Planning and evaluation of its results]

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is very frequent in Argentina. It is the third most frequent cancer, after skin and breast tumor in the city of Rosario. Our population usually ignores the symptoms of colonic cancer and early diagnosis are infrequent. The Societies of Gastroenterology, Oncology and Colonoproctology organizes a public awareness campaign during july, august and september 1985 in Rosario and its surrounding (population 1,300,000) by means of newspaper, radio and specially by television, describing the symptoms were present, as well as insisting of the possibility of prevention by endoscopy diagnosis and removal of polyps. Literature and pamphlets were distributed, and information letters were send to all the physicians in Rosario. An International update meeting on colon and rectal took place. The results of this campaign were evaluated through the Tumor Registry of Rosario. Since september 1984 still february 1986, the monthly incidence of polyps and cancer of the colon and rectum was recorded. The monthly average incidence of polyps was 18.9. Previous to the campaign, the monthly average of diagnosed polyps was 17.5; during the campaign, 27.5; and after it, 13.8. The monthly average of colorectal cancer was 39, before the campaign, 41; during the campaign, 49, and 26 afterwards. These results were statistically studies by the parametric test of Mann and Whitney. During the campaign a significant (p = 0.05) increase of diagnosed polyps and cancers, was found. Our conclusion is that the awareness was successful, but we think that it is necessary to insist with periodic and longer campaigns.