RACGP President Dr Liz Marles in Medical Observer - Bowel screen drop: GPs should lead The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: Monitoring Report 2012–2013 showed participation in the program had fallen to 33.5%, compared to 35% the previous year, and 38% between July 2008 and June 2011. The dwindling screening rates last year prompted the RACGP to suggest a trial of a GP-led program. RACGP President Dr Liz Marles said it was time to revisit this idea, potentially with a Practice Incentives Program (PIP) payment, akin to that for Pap smears and scheduled vaccinations. She said 83% of the population visited the GP in any one year, providing the opportunity for doctors to bring it up. “If there is low uptake, then it suggests the community doesn’t understand the benefits of this, which is an area where GPs can be effective,” Dr Marles said. “If GPs can sell Pap smears to women, then bowel cancer screening should be a piece of cake.”
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 02:38:54 +0000
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