Cancer risk assessment by rural and Appalachian family medicine physicians.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Challenges to the identification of hereditary cancer in primary care may be more pronounced in rural Appalachia, a medically underserved region.

Purpose

To examine primary care physicians' identification of hereditary cancers.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was mailed to family physicians in the midwestern and southeastern United States, stratified by rural/non-rural and Appalachian/non-Appalachian practice location (n = 176). Identification of hereditary breast-ovarian cancer (BRCA1/2), hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), and other hereditary cancers was assessed.

Findings

Less than half of physicians (45%) reported having patients with cancer genetic testing. Most (70%) correctly identified the BRCA1/2-relevant scenario; 49% correctly id

SUBMITTER: Kelly KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3319913 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature