Nursing care in raising awareness about the importance of participating in national preventing program for colonoscopy

Aims In Croatia, colorectal cancer ranks second in terms of frequency. Approximately 3.000 individuals of both genders are diagnosed annually, with 2.000 of them succumbing to the disease, placing it fifth in terms of mortality causes. Since 2008, Croatia has implemented a National Early Detection Program for colorectal cancer. The programs objective is to identify the disease in its early stages and reduce mortality. Those at higher risk include individuals over 50 years of age, those with a positive family history, a positive test for occult blood in the stool, and those with previously known polypoid changes.

Methods Steps in raising awareness involve informing the public about the importance of participation, possible symptoms or lack thereof in the early stages, informing other healthcare professionals about the importance of informing patients and their families, taking care of hard-to-reach and uninsured individuals, conducting public health campaigns, providing psychological preparation for colonoscopy, identifying barriers to participation in the program and addressing them, providing information and support in all stages of screening and diagnosis, and organizing and participating in group education sessions about health awareness and the national early detection program for colorectal cancer.

Results The World Health Organization estimates that between 30-50% of malignant cases can be prevented. Through the National Preventive Program, a targeted population is invited at regular intervals preventative doctor’s visits to check malignant diseases. In the prevention of diseases, a significant role is played by a nurse who with her knowledge and skills educate the population to respond to a call for doctors visits.

Conclusions The most crucial step for a nurse is a holistic approach to every patient who responded to the National Programs invitation. Before, during, and after the program, nurse ensures quality care, including psychological preparation for proper endoscopic procedure and execution, and engaging in conversations to dispel stigma about colonoscopy, encouraging the patient and those in their surroundings, ultimately contributing to an increase in participation. The assessment of tested individuals within the National Program is 21%, leaving substantial room for increasing participation rates. One of the initial steps toward success involves nurses and technicians.

Publication History

Article published online:
15 April 2024