ReviewJournal of Taibah University Medical Sciences2025
Barriers to colorectal cancer screening tests among adults in the Saudi population: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Review in Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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.
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.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Health Equity Barriers to Accessing Vaccination and Screening Services in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Narrative Review.Risk management and healthcare policy · 2026Review
- Knowledge and Awareness of Cancer Screening Among the Public in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.Cureus · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most prevalent cancer in Saudi Arabia and the leading cause of gastrointestinal cancer-related mortality. Despite effective screening methods, participation remains low, resulting in delayed diagnoses and poor outcomes. Barriers include limited awareness, cultural beliefs, healthcare system constraints, and insufficient physician recommendations. Existing studies show variable findings, highlighting the need for a comprehensive synthesis. Objective: To identify and categorize barriers to CRC screening in Saudi Arabia by examining individual, healthcare system, and sociocultural factors, and to provide recommendations for improving screening uptake. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, the Saudi Digital Library, and the Cochrane Library was performed. Eligible studies examined barriers to CRC screening among Saudi adults using quantitative or qualitative methods. Non-Saudi, non-human, review, or methodologically unclear studies were excluded. Two independent reviewers conducted data extraction and quality assessment using ROBINS-I for observational studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for RCTs. Heterogeneity was evaluated with Cochran's Q and I², while publication bias was assessed using Begg's test. Results: Of 130 studies screened, 14 met the inclusion criteria. The most frequent barriers were lack of knowledge, absent physician recommendation, cultural stigma, gender-related concerns, and limited access. Meta-analysis revealed high heterogeneity (I² = 83.9%, p < 0.001). Physician recommendation was the strongest predictor of participation, while stigma and access issues were key deterrents. No publication bias was detected (Begg's test p = 0.296). Conclusion: CRC screening in Saudi Arabia is hindered by multifactorial barriers. Targeted awareness, physician-driven initiatives, improved access, and culturally sensitive interventions are essential to enhance participation and reduce CRC mortality.
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Registered trials
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