1461 - Awareness of Cancer Screening During the Treatment of Renal Failure Patients: Physician Questionnaire

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Survival of patients with renal insufficiency has increased. With the prolonged survival, diagnosis of cancers is not infrequently seen. The aim of cancer screening is to increase the curability. Method This study was done by face to face questionnaire in the 27th National Nephrology Congress to determine if the physicians dealing with chronic renal failure, hemodialysis or renal transplanted patients, recommend cancer screening or not and the methods of screening for cervix, prostate, breast and colon cancer. Results One hundred and forty four physicians were included in the survey. 101 participants were male. The most common age interval was between the ages of 40–49 (55.6%). About 28.5% of the participants were specialist on nephrology, 27% on internal medicine, 47.9% of participants were hemodialysis certified general practitioners and 4.9% were other areas of expertise. About 81.9% of the participants were working in the city and 59.7% of the participants in private dialysis centers. Patients were grouped as compensated chronic renal failure, hemodialysis or renal transplanted. Of the 144 123 physicians recommended breast cancer screening and the most recommended subgroup was HD patients (15.5%). The most preferred methods of screening were combinations of mammography, self breast examination and physicians' breast examination. One hundred and nine physicians recommended cervix cancer screening, and the most preferred method of screening was papsmear. Colon cancer screening was recommended by 105 physicians and prostate screening by 114 physicians. The most preferred methods of screening were fecal occult blood test and PSA plus rectal digital test, respectively. Conclusion It is not obvious whether cancer screening in renal failure patients is different from the rest of society. There is a variety of screening methods. An answer can be found to these questions as a result of studies by a common follow-up protocol and cooperation of nephrologists and oncologists. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.