Patients Should Share Responsibility For Preventive Health Activities To Curb Cancer Rates

Patients Should Share Responsibility For Preventive Health Activities To Curb Cancer Rates

 

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is calling on patients to take the lead in preventive health activities to curb the alarming and rising rate of cancer related deaths.

The World Cancer Report 2014 released yesterday as part of World Cancer Day by the WorldHealth Organization (WHO) shows cancer is now the world's number one killer – for the first time surpassing heart disease – with 8.2 million people killed from cancer globally, including 40,000 Australians in 2012.

Stressing the importance of preventive health measures, the report details 3.7 million cancer related deaths could have been avoided by implementing lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake and maintaining a healthy weight.

RACGP President, Dr Liz Marles, said the report findings highlighted the importance of GPs working with their patients on prevention as well as managing illness.

'Most preventive health activities can be facilitated at a general practice level making it accessible and affordable for most Australians to make a commitment to optimising their health.

'Often perceptions such as lack of time, or not having any -obvious' symptoms hold people back from making an appointment with their GP. However, regular appointments could result in an early diagnosis, or better still, prevention of something more serious.

'Over 342,0001 people visit a GP on any given day in Australia presenting a huge number of opportunities to discuss preventive health care.

'If you are unsure which preventive health measures may apply to you, it's always worth touching base with your GP to find out your health needs at any stage of your life," said Dr Marles.

To facilitate evidence-based preventive health activities in general practice, the RACGP has developed the Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice (8th edition), commonly referred to as the -red book' which is widely accepted as the main guide to the provision of preventive care in Australian general practice.

Complementing the Red Book, the RACGP and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation has developed the National guide to a preventive health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (2nd edition), referred to as the -national guide', and intended for all GPs and health professionals delivering primary care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.