Towards Reducing Cancer Death: An Exploratory Study Of Physicians Knowledge On Cancer Basic Facts

Objective: To explore the knowledge of basic facts on common female cancers amongst Physicians in active practice. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study among 160 doctors working in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. Results: Majority of the physicians surveyed (86.2%) were in full time academic practice with 13.8% in combined academic and private practice. The experience (years in practice) of the Physicians varied from 1-22 years, with a majority (57.9%) in category A (1-5 years ), while 40.3% were in category D (>15 years). A large proportion of the Physicians had poor knowledge on basic cancer facts with regards to the prevalence (47.2%), mortality rate (54.1%), available screening tests (65.4%), and association between HPV and cancers of the anogenital region (56.6%). The type of practice did not significantly influence Physicians knowledge on basic cancer facts (P values > 0.05) More Physicians in full academic practice had good knowledge about human papilloma virus compared to those in combined practice (23.3% vs. 5%; fulltime academics vs. combine practice). There was no significant difference in the knowledge of the Physicians on the prevalence, available screening tests and mortality rate of the cancers based on their experience (P values > 0.05) Conclusion: Physicians in active practice have poor knowledge of basic cancer facts irrespective of their number of years in practice. These portend serious setback for health education, policy formulation on prevention and reduction of Cancer related morbidity and mortality.