Abstract:Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most frequent cause of cancer death in Australia. Early detection can reduce incidence and mortality. General practice-based initiatives have been proposed to improve CRC screening rates but to date have had modest impact. As there is limited research into the patient experience of CRC screening decision making, this study explored patient perspectives on CRC screening and the potential role for general practice.
Methods
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“…The findings from this study reinforced the important role that GPs can play in supporting the uptake of the NBCSP in Australia. This finding is consistent with evidence from our earlier research 30 and other studies 16 31 illustrating that GPs could offer support with education, advice, monitoring and active screening. The current results underscore the importance of the personal touch, trust, confidence, familiarity, expertise and personal accountability that make GP recommendations to patients particularly influential.…”
ObjectivesTo explore patients’ experiences of bowel cancer screening and its promotion, and perspectives on possible input from general practice for improving screening rates.DesignQualitative focus group study underpinned by a phenomenological approach.SettingThree general practice clinics in metropolitan South Australia.ParticipantsThirty active general practice patients, aged 50–74 years (60% female) who were eligible for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.FindingsFactors affecting screening were described, with particular concerns regarding the nature of the test, screening process and culture. There were mixed views on the role for general practice in bowel cancer screening; some participants appreciated the current process and viewed screening as out of scope of primary care services, while others were in support of general practice involvement. Roles for general practice were proposed that comprised actions across the continuum from providing information through to reminders and the provision and collection of screening kits. With a view that multifaceted strategies are required to encourage participation, community-based solutions were suggested that centred on improving screening culture and education.ConclusionsThere was a view among participants that general practice could play a useful role in supporting the uptake of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, however participants saw a need for multiple strategies at different levels and under different jurisdictions.
“…The findings from this study reinforced the important role that GPs can play in supporting the uptake of the NBCSP in Australia. This finding is consistent with evidence from our earlier research 30 and other studies 16 31 illustrating that GPs could offer support with education, advice, monitoring and active screening. The current results underscore the importance of the personal touch, trust, confidence, familiarity, expertise and personal accountability that make GP recommendations to patients particularly influential.…”
ObjectivesTo explore patients’ experiences of bowel cancer screening and its promotion, and perspectives on possible input from general practice for improving screening rates.DesignQualitative focus group study underpinned by a phenomenological approach.SettingThree general practice clinics in metropolitan South Australia.ParticipantsThirty active general practice patients, aged 50–74 years (60% female) who were eligible for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.FindingsFactors affecting screening were described, with particular concerns regarding the nature of the test, screening process and culture. There were mixed views on the role for general practice in bowel cancer screening; some participants appreciated the current process and viewed screening as out of scope of primary care services, while others were in support of general practice involvement. Roles for general practice were proposed that comprised actions across the continuum from providing information through to reminders and the provision and collection of screening kits. With a view that multifaceted strategies are required to encourage participation, community-based solutions were suggested that centred on improving screening culture and education.ConclusionsThere was a view among participants that general practice could play a useful role in supporting the uptake of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, however participants saw a need for multiple strategies at different levels and under different jurisdictions.
“…Diagnosis at advanced stages is one of the determinants of the disparity in survival and a large number of CRC deaths worldwide. Thus, population-based screening programs have been widely proposed and implemented in some highly developed countries since more than 10 years ago, with the aim of shifting CRC distribution to early stages and improving therapy outcomes [ 3 , 17 , 18 ]. Fig.…”
Highlights
There are estimated 1.93 million new CRC cases diagnosed, and 0.94 million CRC caused deaths in 2020 worldwide.
The global new CRC cases is predicted to reach 3.2 million in 2040.
China and the United States have the highest estimated number of new CRC cases in the next 20 years.
The number of new CRC cases is increased from 0.56 million (2020) to 0.91 million (2040) in China.
The number of new CRC cases is increased from 0.16 million (2020) to 0.21 million (2040) in the United States.
“…Because GPs may understand patients' social histories, personalities and attitudes in addition to their physical health conditions and demographics, they can advise their patients as "trusted advisors". 15 A thorough face-toface explanation of screening and its procedures by healthcare professionals enhances patients' willingness to opt in for screening. In Hong Kong, government-initiated screening programmes also rely on primary healthcare clinics to provide screening venues for community participation, including the CRC Screening Programme.…”
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