Abstract
BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer worldwide, which motivates researchers to investigate risk factors involved, its symptoms and screening methods essential for early detection and prevention. This study examined fourth and fifth year pharmacy students' awareness regarding CRC to achieve the purpose of collecting data to guide and shape curriculum adjustments and improve community-based educational initiatives. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was administered between January 6(th) and March 9(th), 2025 with fourth- and fifth-year pharmacy students from five pharmacy faculties located in Türkiye who agreed to participate in the study. Within the scope of the study, knowledge of CRC risk factors, symptoms, screening and barriers to colorectal cancer screening were explored. RESULTS: The participants of the study included 532 students attending five pharmacy faculties located in different parts of Türkiye. The mean score for "knowledge about CRC risk factor" was (± SD) 11.54 (± 3.58), and 85.2% (n = 453) of the participants had "good level of knowledge" about risk factors. The mean "CRC symptom" score (± SD) was 4.39 (± 2.10). In addition, 60.7% (n = 323) of the participants were found to have poor level of knowledge about the symptoms of the disease. The mean score for "CRC screening" (± SD) was 1.44 (± 0.70). 93.2% (496) of the participants reported poor level knowledge about screening. "Worrying about a bad result" was identified as the primary barrier to getting fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and colonoscopy. More than half of the participants (n = 318, 59.8%) stated that they acquired the information about CRC from the curricula most. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that students' knowledge about CRC symptoms and screening was poor while their knowledge about CRC risks was good. Females and nonsmokers had remarkably more CRC risk information. Sociodemographic variables did not significantly affect CRC symptom and screening knowledge. "Worrying about a bad result" was the biggest FOBT and colonoscopy barrier. According to these findings, it is recommended that faculties should integrate CRC awareness courses into their curricula. Additionally, more emphasis should be placed on other educational interventions such as social media, television and brochure distribution.