Colorectal cancer: knowledge and attitudes of doctors in Victoria.
Successful introduction of screening for early colorectal cancer will depend, at least in part, on doctors' knowledge and attitudes. A 34-item questionnaire was sent to a random sample of one in five doctors in Victoria, with a final completion rate of 65%. The survey revealed gaps of knowledge, particularly about recognition of high-risk groups. Only 12% were aware of the degree of increased risk faced by first-degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer and only 10% recognised the similar increase in risk for people with a history of resected colorectal cancer. While 73% of doctors order faecal occult blood tests, only 9% were aware that the more reliable quaiac method was used for their patients. Overall, 38% considered that faecal occult blood testing was a practical method for screening for colorectal cancer. Most of the doctors who accepted occult blood screening would follow up a positive test with digital rectal examination (80%) and barium enema (75%), but only 58% would want sigmoidoscopy performed and 34% colonoscopy. The diagnostic potential of digital rectal examination and sigmoidoscopy was over-estimated by half of the doctors surveyed. Recognition of subjects at high risk for colorectal cancer, and knowledge about the proper use, follow-up, and potential for screening of faecal occult blood tests need emphasis in medical educational programmes.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D003113:Colonoscopy; D004733:Enema; D006801:Humans; D009780:Occult Blood; D010808:Physical Examination; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D001466:Barium Sulfate