Evaluating the strength of potential misplaced priorities in opportunistic cancer screening practice in Greece.
OBJECTIVE
Screening is a significant method for cancer control, nevertheless the implementation of non cost-effective screening tests at national level may constitute a major burden to health economics. The purpose of this study was to determine the cancer screening activities of a large sample of the Hellenic population, in a country with opportunistic screening practice.


METHODS
A large survey on cancer screening in Greece was organized and conducted by the Panhellenic Association for Continual Medical Research (PACMeR). Screening performance of evidence-based (EB), non-evidence-based (non EB) and of undefined benefit tests was analysed.


RESULTS
7001 individuals were analysed. Eighty-eight percent of males and 93% of females stated that they were interested in cancer screening practices. Gynecological cancer screening was performed in the range of 23-38%. Colorectal cancer screening was rarely performed in both genders (1- 2%), while non-evidence-based tests were regularly performed (urinalysis 50% and chest radiography 15-18%). Full blood count and PSA measurement were widely accepted (over 45% in both genders and 19.5% in males, respectively). Sociodemographic characteristics did not influence the performance of EB tests in males while females' activities were highly influenced by such parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Opportunistic cancer screening in a primary health care system where national guidelines are missing may cause ambiguous results. Reconsideration of health policy in such cases is mandatory.
Karampoiki
V
V
Panhellenic Association for Continual Medical Research (PACMeR), Section of Public Health, Athens, Greece.
Alevizaki
P
P
Lakiotis
V
V
Loukidou
E
E
Terzoudi
A
A
Gkinosati
A
A
Panou
C
C
Ioakeimidou
A
A
Kamposioras
K
K
Valachis
A
A
Tsali
L
L
Pantazi
E
E
Koukourakis
G
G
Karathanasi
I
I
Thanopoulou
E
E
Mauri
D
D
D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D033161:Government Regulation; D006115:Greece; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics; D006292:Health Priorities / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures / Q000191:economics