Canadian physicians' choices for their own colon cancer screening.
BACKGROUND
Compliance with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in Canada is low. The aim of the present survey was to determine whether Canadian physicians older than 50 years were pursuing colon cancer screening. Specifically, physicians were asked to identify their modality of choice and identify their barriers to screening.


METHODS
Surveys were mailed to members, older than 50 years, of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, the Canadian Society of Internal Medicine, the Canadian Psychiatric Association and the Canadian Association of Radiologists.


RESULTS
Of 2,807 surveys, 46% were returned. Screening for CRC was reported by 53% of respondents. The Canadian Association of Radiologists members (61%) and the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology members (61%) were more likely to be screened than other specialties (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). Members of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (44%) were least likely to be screened (P<0.001). Men (P<0.001) and Ontario physicians (P<0.01) were more likely to be screened than women and Canadian physicians from other provinces, respectively. Colonoscopy (56%) was the most common screening modality used, followed by fecal occult blood testing (27%). Respondents who had not been screened cited a lack of personal time (47%) and insufficient data to warrant screening (14%).


CONCLUSIONS
More than one-half of all respondents were screened for CRC. Colonoscopy is the most common screening modality used. Lack of time is the most common reason cited for not participating in CRC screening.
Raza
Mamoon
M
Section of Gastroenterology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Bernstein
Charles Noah
CN
Ilnyckyj
Alexandra
A
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires