Community knowledge and awareness of colorectal cancer and screening tools: Community-based survey of 1,912 residents of Riyadh.

BACKGROUND: Participation in Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs is low in Saudi Arabia. Public awareness of CRC and knowledge of available screening tools are crucial for improving screening uptake. This study aimed to examine the level of awareness and knowledge of CRC among the Saudi population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey-based study was conducted on 1912 residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The survey comprised 20 questions; these concerned the definition of the colon and rectum; the function of the colon; the incidence, risk factors, symptoms, screening methods, prevention methods, and treatment methods for CRC; and the value of early detection of CRC. RESULTS: Of the 1912 participants who completed the survey, only 51.7% knew that the colon was the large intestine, while 57% knew that the rectum was the end of the large intestine. Colonoscopy was the preferred screening tool (72.8%). Most respondents believed early detection of CRC through colonoscopy is associated with high survival rates. However, 65.7% of the participants reported that they would not like to undergo a CRC screening. Higher education level was also associated with knowledge that CRC can develop asymptomatically, with postgraduates most likely to know this (P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of knowledge regarding CRC among certain demographic groups in Saudi Arabia, and education and screening programs should target populations with the most limited knowledge.

Short-term outcomes after self-expandable metal stent insertion for obstructing colon cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are used as a bridge to surgery for colon cancer patients as an alternative to emergency surgery. Currently, there is a paucity of literature from Saudi Arabia on the preoperative usage of SEMS. OBJECTIVE: Determine whether SEMS are associated with a higher rate of complications. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study SETTINGS: Tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In patients diagnosed with obstructing colon cancer, up-front surgical resection was compared with insertion of SEMS followed by surgical resection between the years 2009 and 2013. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate of stent-related short-term complications. Secondary endpoint, postoperative complications. SAMPLE SIZE: 65. RESULTS: Twenty-four (36.9%) patients underwent SEMS placement; 41 (63.1%) underwent primary surgery. The median (interquartile range) hospital stay was significantly higher among the SEMS group (13 [8.5] days versus 7 [3] days in the primary surgery group, P<.001). Five patients (20.8%) in the SEMS group developed complications: 2 (8.3%) perforations, 2 (8.3%) obstructions, and 1 (4.2%) stent migrations. CONCLUSION: SEMS is associated with longer hospital stays and short-term serious complications. Further research should be conducted, preferably with a larger sample size. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design, small sample size. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Mammography uptake among the female staff of King Saud University.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is having a major impact on women's health worldwide. Early detection is the best defense against the associated morbidity and mortality of the disease. OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of mammography uptake among working Saudi women and identify the obstacles and barriers that negatively affect it. In addition, to identify the most effective sources of breast-cancer-related information and early detection screening. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional study of women employees of King Saud University aged 40 years and above on March-May 2015 using a self-report questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 229 participants were recruited from the female staff of King Saud University. Of the participants, 34% were aged 41 years or above, approximately 66% were married, 53.3% had a bachelor's degree, and 61.1% worked as administrators; further, 64.6% had a history of breastfeeding. The rate of mammography uptake was 51.5%. Univariate logistic regression indicated that age, education, and being single predict the rate of mammography uptake. However, multivariate logistic regression indicated that earlier age significantly predicts a higher risk of a low rate of mammography uptake. The main obstacle negatively affecting mammography uptake was ineligible criteria (21.8%). The main sources of information regarding breast cancer were awareness campaigns and television and radio (45.4% and 43.7%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The participants' rate of mammography uptake, awareness of mammograms, the risk factors, and signs of breast cancer were low. To improve breast-cancer mortality rates in Saudi Arabia, earlier detection of breast cancer through increasing awareness of mammograms is of paramount importance.

Physical activity and academic achievement among the medical students: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS: To explore physical activity (PA) habits among the medical students and examine the correlation with their grade point average (GPA) achievement at College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the medical students (n = 409), during the academic year 2012-2013. Students' physical activity habits were self-reported. GPA, body mass index (BMI) and body fat percent (BF%) were collected and analyzed with SPSS software. RESULTS: Out of 409 students, 193 (47.2%) students reported being physically active. Our result showed a significant positive association between students' PA habits and high-GPA achievement (χ(2 )= 10.65, p = 0.001). The greatest odds ratio of high GPA was found among the fourth year students (OR = 3.08, CI: 1.15-8.28, p = 0.025) and fifth year students (OR = 5.07, CI: 1.48-17.31, p = 0.010). In addition, significant association was found between the normal BMI and high-GPA achievers (χ(2 )= 8.30; p = 0.016). However, no statistically, significant association was found between BF% and GPA. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed a positive associations was found between PA habits and high academic achievement. In addition, positive association was found between PA, obese students and GPA achievement. Therefore, there is a need for the establishment of physical activity education and public health programs to promote importance of PA in Saudi population.