Breast and cervical cancer screening activities among family physicians in Nigeria.

Breast and cervical cancers are the two commonest malignancies among Nigerian women; where they constitute about 50% of female cancers. A total of 63 out of 82 family physicians from 4 out of the 6 health zones in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria completed a self-administered questionnaire to determine their knowledge and screening practices for breast and cervical cancers. Forty nine percent (49%) of family physicians perceived cancer as one of the serious health problem facing women in Nigeria. Although 93.7% of responding physicians have heard of breast cancer screening facilities and 96.8% of cervical screening facilities, only 74.6% and 55.6% of these respondents offered screening services for breast and cervical cancers respectively. Breast examination was carried out monthly by 48.9% of the physicians on their regular patients. A comprehensive programme of continuing medical education and training in view of setting up facilities and offering service are recommended for family physicians. These stand to bridge the gap between the knowledge and the practice of breast and cervical cancer screening activities. The umbrella Association for Family Physicians and other regulating bodies should facilitate access to screening facilities and initiate training of willing physicians with a view to setting up services.