Awareness about causes of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge of doctors, nurses, patients and public about the causes of gastrointestinal cancers and dissemination of this knowledge. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: This study was carried out in the Department of Oncology, King Fahad Hospital, Al-Madinah Al-Munawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and was completed in four months from February 2003 to June 2003. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: About 200 doctors, nurses and patients suffering from GIT cancer and general public were selected. Each subject was asked to fill up a proforma designed to assess his knowledge about the risk factors for GIT malignancies. RESULTS: A majority of doctors and nurses had good knowledge about the causes of GIT malignancies. The knowledge of patients and general public was low. Out of all four groups, it was poorest in the patient's group. CONCLUSION: The difference in the knowledge of medicos and patients/public reflects that medicos should convey this knowledge to the patients in particular and general public in general, which is their responsibility besides medical treatment.

Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Liver cancer remains one of the most common causes of cancer death globally, and its cure rate has not improved for the past 20 years. Hepatocellular carcinoma develops in patients with cirrhosis of any etiology. Patients with cirrhosis are thus usually included in screening program aiming to achieve early detection and effective treatment for HCC. Only those patients diagnosed with HCC who would benefit with the available treatment, should undergo the screening procedure. This is based on ultrasonography and alpha-fetoprotein every 3-6 months based on the prevalence and economic status of the community being tested.