Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42522007›Full record

Observational studyBMC public health2026

Colorectal cancer screening awareness among rural populations in Northern China.

Xue Li, Feng Ji, Yang Cao, Lei Li, Liang Guan, Zheqi Zhang, Wei Cheng, Huaizhong Yang, Jian Liu, Meiji Lu and 3 more

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Xue Li *Department of Oncology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. drxueli@163.com.
Feng Ji *Department of Oncology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Yang CaoDepartment of Oncology, The Third People Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Lei LiDepartment of Oncology, The Third People Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Liang GuanDepartment of Oncology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Zheqi ZhangDepartment of Oncology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Wei ChengDepartment of Oncology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Huaizhong YangDepartment of Oncology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Jian LiuDepartment of Oncology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Meiji LuDepartment of Oncology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Beibei WuDepartment of Oncology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Yun XuDepartment of Oncology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. xyxiao78@163.com.
Yufei YangDepartment of Oncology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. yyf93@vip.sina.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with incidence steadily increasing in China. Early detection through screening significantly reduces morbidity and mortality. However, awareness and participation remain inadequate, especially in rural populations, who account for nearly 39% of China's total population. Understanding awareness levels and associated factors is essential for developing targeted interventions.

methodsA population-based cluster cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2022 and March 2024 in two rural villages in Beijing and Henan Province. All permanent residents were eligible for this observational assessment of CRC awareness, for this observational assessment of CRC awareness; when the number of eligible residents exceeded the required sample size, participants were randomly selected from household lists provided by local village committees to ensure proportional representation across age and sex. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire assessing knowledge of CRC risk factors, preventive measures, early symptoms, and screening methods. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with high awareness, defined as a total score ≥ 90 on the awareness scale.

resultsOf the 2,091 participants, 60% demonstrated high awareness of CRC screening. Recognition of major risk factors such as advanced age (83.5%), colon polyps (88.1%), and family history (87.3%) was high, as was awareness of protective factors like dietary fiber intake/whole grains/yogurt (85.5%). Awareness of early symptoms such as blood in the stool (88.4%) and abdominal pain/incomplete evacuation (95.5%) was strong, but recognition of fatigue and anemia was lower (77.4%). Awareness of fecal occult blood testing (82.0%) and fecal genetic testing (85.1%) was slightly lower than for colonoscopy (86.7%). Logistic regression showed that age, gender, education level, alcohol consumption was significantly associated with higher awareness (P < 0.05).

conclusionsThis study provides the first evidence of CRC awareness among rural populations in Northern China, revealing knowledge gaps in non-specific symptoms and non-invasive screening methods. Despite relatively high awareness, uptake of screening remains limited, indicating barriers such as access, cost, and cultural factors. Tailored education, accessible screening, and behavioral interventions are needed to improve prevention and early detection in these underserved communities.

Indexed as

Colorectal NeoplasmsEarly Detection of CancerHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeRural PopulationAdultAgedChinaCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRisk FactorsSurveys and QuestionnairesAwarenessChinaColorectal cancerRisk factorsRural populationsScreening

Identifiers

PMID42522007
PMCPMC13418789

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.