The most northern and northwestern regions of Iran are at a high risk for gastrointestinal cancers. In this study, we evaluated knowledge of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers in people referred for endoscopy and colonoscopy screening.

This cross-sectional study was carried out among 461 people who were under the patronage of a local relief foundation and referred for endoscopy and colonoscopy to the Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Research Center (GLDRC), Rasht, north of Iran, March 2016 to March 2017. A well-defined two sectioned questionnaire was carried out for the each group.

Overall, 300 and 161 individuals were in the gastric and colon cancer knowledge group, respectively. The level of knowledge in various areas of gastric and colon cancer was desirable. In general, the average of different domains in gastric and colon cancer knowledge questions were 20.2 ± 6.6 and 19.2 ± 4.9, with a knowledge level higher than the mean in gastric cancer (58%) and colon cancer (67.1%). The mean score of knowledge of GI cancers in terms of risk factor indicated a significant relationship between BMI and alcohol consumption. Meanwhile, a meaningful relationship between symptoms and BMI with knowledge was declared. About domains of colon cancer, there was a significant relationship between younger age and knowledge in the risk factor.

The results of this study can provide an opportunity to formulate strategies to achieve goals, especially in the field of education, prevention, and control of the disease by raising knowledge for the general public and educating people who are responsible for providing and delivering health services to this community.