Awareness of cancer screening during treatment of patients with renal failure: a physician survey in Turkey.
BACKGROUND
Today, survival rate of patients with chronic renal failure/hemodialysis has increased so that chronic illnesses are more likely to occur. Cancer is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in such patients.


OBJECTIVE
In this study, physician attitudes were examined about cancer screening in patients with renal failure.


METHODS
This study was done by face to face questionnaire in the 27th National Nephrology Congress to determine if the physicians dealing with chronic renal failure, hemodialysis or renal transplanted patients, recommend cancer screening or not and the methods of screening for cervix, prostate, breast and colon cancer.


RESULTS
One hundred and fifty six physicians were included in the survey. A total of 105 (67%) participants were male and the age of responders was 48 ± 9 years. About 29% were specialists in nephrology, 28% internal medicine, and 5% were other areas of expertise. Some 48% of participants were hemodialysis certified general practitioners. Patients were grouped as compensated chronic renal failure, hemodialysis or renal transplanted. Of the 156 responders, 128 (82%) physicians recommended breast cancer screening and the most recommended subgroup was hemodialysis patients (15%). The most preferred methods of screening were combinations of mammography, self breast examination and physician breast examination. 112 (72%) physicians recommended cervix cancer screening, and the most preferred method of screening was pap-smear. Colon cancer screening was recommended by 102 (65%) physicians and prostate screening by 109 (70%) physicians. The most preferred methods of screening were fecal occult blood test and PSA plus rectal digital test, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
It is not obvious whether cancer screening in renal failure patients is different from the rest of society. There is a variety of screening methods. An answer can be found to these questions as a result of studies by a common follow-up protocol and cooperation of nephrologists and oncologists.
Department of Medical Oncology, Sakarya University Education and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey E-mail : medicaloncology@gmail.com, dr.ozgur.tanriverdi@gmail.com.
Ozlem
O
Uysal-Sonmez
Ozgur
O
Tanriverdi
Ummugul
U
Uyeturk
Isil Irem
II
Budakoglu
Rumeyza
R
Kazancioglu
Ibrahim
I
Turker
Burcin
B
Budakoglu
Ulku
U
Yalcintas-Arslan
Berna
B
Oksuzoglu
D000328:Adult; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey