Patients compliance in an early detection program for upper aero-digestive tract tumours in north-eastern Italy.
An early detection program for tumours of the upper respiratory and digestive tract has been conducted from December, 1988 to May, 1989 in the Friuli Venezia-Giulia region, Northeastern Italy. This region shows very high mortality rates for cancers in these sites. Six hundred seventy-one high risk patients (i e habitual smokers and/or drinkers) were referred to Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists from 16 General Practitioners (GPs) for a free examination as part of the screening program. Four hundred thirty-six patients underwent the visit (65%) with fifty-five precancerous lesions and eight epithelial tumours detected among them. This program appears to have accomplished its aims of establishing a closer relationship between GPs and ENT specialists, discovering early cancerous and precancerous lesions, and targeting high risk patients with an educational message against smoking and heavy drinking.
Barra
S
S
Servizio di Epidemiologia, Aviano-Cancer Center.
Barón
A E
AE
Barzan
L
L
Caruso
G
G
Veronesi
A
A
Talamini
R
R
Comoretto
R
R
Franceschi
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010036:Otolaryngology; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012142:Respiratory Tract Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention