Original scientific paper
Present State and Possibilities for Improvement of Cancer Prevention and Early Detection in the Osijek-Baranya County
Barbara Ebling
Luka Kovačić
Zdravko Ebling
Andro Vlahušić
Martin Tokalić
Krešimir Glavina
Vatroslav Šerić
Marija Strnad
Ante Bilić
Tibor Santo
Mirko Šamija
Dragan Jurčić
Abstract
Cancer morbidity and mortality are on a steady increase in Croatia. Technologic possibilities for appropriate managementare available for four cancer sites, i.e. cancer of the breast, cervix uteri, colorectum and prostate, and includecancer prevention and early detection in individuals yet free from manifest signs of the disease. The magnitude of the problem, the experience acquired to date, health care personnel available, and additional resources required to launch a systematic program of early detection of the disease are presented. The program should be initially launched in a county with greatest experience in early detection of cancer, where health care service is ready to immediately start its implementation. The role of family physician, gynecologic service at primary health care level, and polyclinic-consultation hospital service in program implementation is described. The following three possible options for early detection of cancer are analyzed and proposed: minimal program (early detection every 3 years), medium program (the same individuals examined every 2 years), and optimal program proposed by the American Cancer Society and other national and international organizations.
Keywords
cancer; prevention; early detection; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
4965
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2005.
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