RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Colorectal cancer screening practices in Saskatchewan
JF Canadian Family Physician
JO Can Fam Physician
FD The College of Family Physicians of Canada
SP e558
OP e563
VO 59
IS 12
A1 Ray Deobald
A1 Peter Graham
A1 Jennifer Chad
A1 Carlo Di Gregorio
A1 Jennifer Johnstone
A1 Lloyd Balbuena
A1 Chris Kenyon
A1 Mark Lees
YR 2013
UL http://www.cfp.ca/content/59/12/e558.abstract
AB Objective To evaluate current colorectal cancer (CRC) screening practices in Saskatchewan and identify barriers to screening with the goal of improving current practice. Design Survey of family physicians. Setting Saskatchewan. Participants A total of 773 family physicians were surveyed. Main outcome measures Demographic characteristics, individual screening practices, and perceived barriers to screening. Results The response rate to the survey was 44.5%. When asked what method they used for fecal occult blood testing, almost 40% of respondents were either unsure or did not answer the question. Of those who did respond, 35.8% employed hemoccult testing following digital rectal examination, a practice not recommended for CRC screening. Screening guidelines for average-risk patients were generally well adhered to, with 79.9% of respondents recommending screening beginning at age 50. For screening patients at increased risk of CRC owing to family history, only 64.2% of respondents began screening 10 years before the age of the index patient at diagnosis. Physicians who were more likely to follow guidelines were female, in practice fewer than 10 years, trained in Canada, and practising in urban areas. More than 90% of family physicians agreed that a standard provincewide screening program would be beneficial. Conclusion We have identified considerable knowledge gaps with regard to CRC screening. There is confusion about which fecal occult blood tests are recommended for screening. Also, screening guidelines for patients with a family history of CRC are poorly understood. These findings suggest that better physician education about CRC screening is required. Introduction of a provincewide screening program should improve overall screening success.