Pulmonary cancer from the general practitioner's point of view: Experience from the health centre area of Kungsbacka, Sweden

Abstract

Objective — To study the incidence of pulmonary cancer in a community with special reference to the diagnostic process and the role of the general practitioner.

Design — Study of the records of all patients within the community with pulmonary cancer reported to the Swedish Cancer Registry during the years 1980–1984.

Setting — The community of Kungsbacka in southwestern Sweden with about 48,000 inhabitants.

Participants — 40 subjects with pulmonary cancer.

Outcome measures — Incidence, main symptoms, level of care, doctor delay, survival rate.

Results — The incidence was 16 per 100 000 per year. Most patients first visited a general practitioner. Most common initial symptom was cough. Mean doctor delay was 12.5 weeks. The five-year mortality rate was 95%.

Conclusion — The high mortality emphasizes the importance of an early diagnosis. The general practitioners are very important in the diagnostic process.

Key Words:

• pulmonary cancer
• symptoms
• diagnosis
• prognosis
• mortality
• primary health care