J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2008 Mar;12(1):35-41.

Clinical Behavior of Geriatricians Regarding Periodic Screening for Gastro-intestinal Cancers in Older Adults

• Hwang HS
• Won CW
• Lee DH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A questionnaire for geriatricians regarding their clinical practice of periodic gastro-intestinal cancer screening was developed.
METHODS
The survey was administered to geriatricians participating in the 2007 Korean Geriatrics Society meeting at Busan, Korea.
RESULTS
162 completed the questionnaire. Average age of respondents was 46 years. Background specialty included family medicine(24%), internal medicine(22%), obstetrics and gynecology(9%), and general surgery(8%). 90% of geriatricians recommend screening for colorectal cancer in their practice. They recommend a colonoscopy if fecal occult blood test is positive(53%) or colonoscopy(31%). On average, they recommend screening for colorectal cancer every 2.5 years. Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended to those 75-79 years(33 %), 70-74 years(24%), and 65-69 years(24%). 94% of respondents recommend screening for stomach cancer in their practice. They recommend gastrofiberoscopy(95%) or upper GI series(5%). On average, screening is recommended every 1.5 years. Screening is recommended to those aged 75-79 years(34%), 70-74 years(19%), and 65-69 years(22%).
CONCLUSION
Most geriatricians prefer endoscopic examinations for screening for GI cancer. They recommend, on average, screening for colorectal cancer and stomach cancer every 2.5 and 1.5 years, respectively. Most geriatricians recommend GI cancer screening to those aged 75-79 years.

Keyword

Colorectal cancer; Stomach cancer; Prevention; Geriatrics

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Colonoscopy
Colorectal Neoplasms
Surveys and Questionnaires
Early Detection of Cancer
Geriatrics
Humans
Mass Screening
Obstetrics
Occult Blood
Stomach Neoplasms