Screening for colorectal cancer: a survey of New Zealand general practitioners.

AIM

To determine the attitudes and reported behaviours of New Zealand general practitioners concerning colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis with special consideration of the use of faecal occult blood tests.

METHOD

A postal survey of a random sample of 400 New Zealand general practitioners.

RESULTS

The response rate to the survey was 63%. Most of the respondents did not support a screening programme for average risk patients but did support screening in high risk groups. General practitioners favoured a screening programme offered by themselves rather than a centrally organised screening programme. A majority of respondents agreed that there was a lack of clear guidelines and a need for education regarding screening for bowel cancer.

CONCLUSION

Guidelines for colorectal cancer screening are required for New Zealand general practitioners. There appears to be a need for medical education concerning screening for colorectal cancer in particular and screening and prevention in general.