Awareness Survey about Colorectal Cancer in Students of M. Phil Biotechnology at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

Abstract

Cancer of colon and rectum is collectively called Colorectal Cancer (CRC). It is considered as the second most lethal cancer after lung cancer. One of the symptoms of CRC is rectal bleeding. A survey was conducted to evaluate the level of awareness among M. Phil Biotechnology students. The key idea of this survey was to develop understanding about this deadly disease. A questionnaire consisting of 15 basic questions about CRC was developed. Total 37 students filled the questionnaire; 31 were females while 6 were males. Results clearly demonstrated the unawareness of the students towards this lethal CRC. In the first section about causative agents; 78% of the students answered that CRC is a bacterial disease. Next portion was about the victims of CRC in your surroundings; more than 95% of students never witnessed any case of CRC in their family or vicinity. 3rd category was about transmission route of CRC; according to 38% of students, CRC can be transferred from affected parents to offspring and in the last section which was about possible treatments of CRC; 97% students answered that CRC can be treated with medication only while 68% answered that there is a need of surgical treatment for CRC. Therefore, it is very important to spread awareness among people.