Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer. Relatives of CRC patients are at a higher risk for developing CRC. Although screening rates remains low, early screening shows decrease in mortality of CRC. Objective: To determine the impact of physician counseling on raising the awareness of CRC patients and their relatives about the importance of early CRC screening. Method: A Cross-sectional study was performed on CRC patients and their relatives with a sample size of 104 patients and 30 patient's relatives. Data was collected through a telephone - interview and using a validated questionnaire, visits to the oncology division and the surgical department. Results: 104 CRC patients and 30 relatives were included. 22 patients (21.2%) received counseling by the physician and 82 patients (78.8%) were not. 25 patients (24%) counseled their relatives. 67% of CRC patients did think it is important to counsel their relatives and 40% of the relatives did not think it is important to proceed with CRC screening. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the role of physician counseling in patient awareness of the risk of CRC among their relatives. Therefore, improving physician's counseling skills is greatly needed in our community to improve the early detection of CRC among the relatives of CRC patient in Saudi Arabia.