title: Cancer and health screening in Canterbury general practices.
abstract: The general practitioners in the Canterbury Area Health Board area were surveyed for their screening policies for cancer and medical conditions. Responses were obtained from 210 (79%), 55% of whom had age/sex registers. Ninety-seven percent provided cervical smears, usually at 1-2 year intervals; 62% offered a female smear taker. Smears were initiated opportunistically by 76%, by age/sex register (47%) or on request by 27%. Breast cancer was screened by 69% using mammography and by 59% using breast physical examination; 73% taught breast self examination. Mammography was recommended every two years for women aged 50-64 years by 45% of responders, and annually to women aged 40-50 years by 19%. Mammography was initiated opportunistically by 88%, on request by 70% and using an age/sex register by 21%. Melanoma was screened by 66%, colorectal cancers in those at high risk by 42%. Testicular self examination was promoted by 43%. Ninety-one percent screened for hypertension, and 51% for hyperlipidaemia, 54% for diabetes mellitus in people without risk factors. Smoking (97%) and alcohol intake (82%) were usually inquired for, and safe sex practices by 59%. Established screening modalities were recommended by most practitioners, but the frequency exceeded current guidelines in many cases; opportunistic screening predominated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and General Practice, Christchurch School of Medicine.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Botting
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009520:New Zealand; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires