Månsson J, Bengtsson C. Pulmonary cancer from the general practitioner's point of view. Experience from the health centre area of Kungsbacka, Sweden.
Scand J Prim Health Care 1994;
12:39-43. [PMID:
8009099 DOI:
10.3109/02813439408997055]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To study the incidence of pulmonary cancer in a community with special reference to the diagnostic process and the role of the general practitioner.
DESIGN
Study of the records of all patients within the community with pulmonary cancer reported to the Swedish Cancer Registry during the years 1980-1984.
SETTING
The community of Kungsbacka in southwestern Sweden with about 48,000 inhabitants.
PARTICIPANTS
40 subjects with pulmonary cancer.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Incidence, main symptoms, level of care, doctor delay, survival rate.
RESULTS
The incidence was 16 per 100,000 per year. Most patients first visited a general practitioner. Most common initial symptom was cough. Mean doctor delay was 12.5 weeks. The five-year mortality rate was 95%.
CONCLUSION
The high mortality emphasizes the importance of an early diagnosis. The general practitioners are very important in the diagnostic process.
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