Knowledge of medical students about colorectal cancer, risk factors and screening

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of medical students of the basic cycle (period 1 to 4) and clinical (period 5 to 8) of a private institution in Anápolis, Goiás, about colorectal cancer, risk factors and screening. Methods: Descriptive study carried out with medical students enrolled from the 1st to the 8th term of the medical course at the University Evangelical of Goiás, through the application of a validated questionnaire, which assesses the level of knowledge about colorectal cancer. Results: The basic cycle was composed of 148 participants and the clinical cycle with 178 academics, totaling 326 academics. The study population was composed mainly of women (71.2%), aged between 18 and 21 years (57.0%) and single (95.1%). Most of the correct answers regarding risk factors and colorectal cancer screening were made by clinical cycle academics, and knowledge increased as the course progressed. Despite the fact that most of the items were correct in the clinical cycle, the results demonstrated the need for a better approach to neoplasia in the course of medicine. Conclusion: Therefore, the knowledge was satisfactory in the clinical cycle in relation to the basic cycle and presented a progressive throughout the course.