Obstacles to Participation in Colorectal Cancer Screening Identified in the Pilot Study in the Bejaïa Region.

Abstract

The effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening using fecal occult blood testing has been established. However, there is not yet mass screening organized at the national level in Algeria. An oncology network in the Bejaia region has provided funding to carry out a feasibility study of free screening of patients at average risk of colorectal cancer. The general practitioners participating in this screening campaign managed, in very variable ways, to have the tests carried out by their patients, citing different behaviors towards screening. The main objective of our article is to explore the obstacles encountered by doctors in colorectal cancer screening and find solutions to overcome them. Three participating daira were organized. General practitioners from both sectors participate. Time was the main obstacle identified. It takes time to inform patients and explain to them the benefit of screening, time to provide the documents accompanying the test and explain its performance, and time to think about screening. The interactive discussion resulted in numerous solutions to improve the organization of general practitioners.