Abstract

MOREIRA, Margarida et al. Compliance with cancer screening among professionals in a group of health centres. Rev Port Med Geral Fam [online]. 2016, vol.32, n.5, pp.316-328. ISSN 2182-5173.

Objectives: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Portugal. The National Oncology Surveillance Plan includes screening programs for colorectal, breast and cervical cancer. The goal of this study was to assess compliance with cancer screening programs among professionals in a group of health centres. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Participants: All professionals in the ACeS Póvoa de Varzim/Vila do Conde group of health centres who were eligible for cancer screening. Methods: Participants were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire about their compliance with cancer screening programs or their reasons for non-compliance. The questionnaires were distributed between February and April 2015. Compliance was assessed based on the performance indicators for cancer screening used in primary health care in 2014. Results: The response rate was 87.7% as 267 questionnaires were returned from 307 eligible participants. Eight questionnaires were excluded. The median age of participants was 41 years. Compliance with screening recommendations was found among 82.2%. Compliance with colorectal cancer screening was found among 77.8%, breast cancer screening in 84.1%, and cervix cancer screening in 87.6%. Conclusions: Professionals in this population had good compliance with current cancer screening recommendations. This study may serve as a basis for comparison for future studies.

Keywords : Early Detection of Cancer; Health Personnel; Guideline Adherence.

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