International Journal of General Medicine (Nov 2023)

Cancer Screening Abstinence Rates and Rationales Among Regular Outpatients at a Rural Hospital in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

  • Takeda E,
  • Katsuyama Y,
  • Sogai D,
  • Yu L,
  • Kumagae Y,
  • Yokokawa D,
  • Shinohara Y,
  • Shikino K

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 16
pp. 5235 – 5240

Abstract

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Eriko Takeda,1 Yota Katsuyama,2,3 Daichi Sogai,1,3 Li Yu,1,4 Yasuyo Kumagae,1 Daiki Yokokawa,4 Yasushi Shinohara,1 Kiyoshi Shikino3,4 1Department of General Medicine, Sanmu Medical Center, Chiba, Japan; 2Sambunomori Clinic, Chiba, Japan; 3Department of Community-Oriented Medical Education, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; 4Department of General Medicine, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, JapanCorrespondence: Kiyoshi Shikino, Department of Community-Oriented Medical Education, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Pref, Japan, Tel +81-43-222-7171 (Ext. 6438) ; +81-43-224-4758, Email [email protected]: This study aimed to investigate cancer screening rates and the reasons for not undergoing screening among patients who regularly visited the Sanmu Medical Center.Patients and Methods: This prospective observational study recruited patients aged ≥ 40 years with regular clinic visits to Sanmu Medical Center during October 2019. We conducted a self-administered survey to determine the patient’s sex and whether they underwent cancer screening in 2019, and if not, the reason for the same. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of people who did not undergo cancer screening.Results: A total of 198 responses (108 male respondents) were obtained. Among them, 189 were valid responses (valid response rate 94.5%). One hundred and twenty-nine patients (68.2%, 76 male) had not undergone screening. The most common reasons provided were “I have regular regular clinic visits and do not think they are necessary” (N = 65, 50.3%), “I underwent a gastroscopy within 2 years, a colorectal camera examination within a few years, and a chest radiography within a year” (42.5%), and “I have a separate complete medical checkup” (N = 15, 11.6%). Of the 65 patients who responded that their cancer screenings were unnecessary, 42 patients (64.6%) had not undergone a gastroscopy within 2 years, a colorectal camera examination within a few years, or a chest radiography or examination within a year.Conclusion: Roughly half of the respondents who did not undergo cancer screening elected to abstain because they believed that regular hospital visits were sufficient. Encouraging patients who regularly visit medical institutions to receive cancer screening is therefore necessary.Keywords: cancer screening, internal medicine, non-consultation, rural medicine

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