Common cancer-related symptoms among GP patients - Opportunistic screeningin primary health care

Objective-To study the occurrence of symptoms related to the five most comm on forms of cancer among patients regularly visiting primary care. To estim ate the proportion of symptoms needing GP examination, and the number of tu mours thus diagnosed. Design-Patients with some form of non-malignant chronic disease received a letter with information about cancer-related symptoms along with an invitat ion to regular check-up. The letter described the most common symptoms of b reast, colorectal, lung, prostate and skin cancers. Setting-12 health centres in Kalmar County, Sweden. Subjects-5200 patients aged over 40 years. Results-One patient in 13 reported cancer-related symptoms to the GP. Women reported more symptoms than men, and almost half of them had had symptoms at previous check-ups. The GP was able to explain 7 out of 10 patients' sym ptoms directly. When other symptoms were examined, 8 cancers were diagnosed as well as 6 pre-malignant tumours, corresponding to 3 tumour diagnoses pe r 1000 check-ups. Conclusion-While attending regular check-ups, patients may not report sympt oms which cause anxiety and sometimes indicate serious diseases. It is poss ible to widen the perspective and link both primary and secondary preventio n of certain cancers to the check-up.