Summary
Introduction. According to IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon) the biggest threat for women is breast cancer. For several years the increase in the morbidity on this type of cancer has been noticeable, what is more, those high rates are directly proportional to the high level of the civilization and economic development of societies. The rate of deaths connected with nipple cancer does not decrease – although it is lower that the European average.
Aim. The aim of the following thesis was to discuss the current situation of the role of a general practitioner and a gynecologist in the prevention of breast cancer in the system of health care. In order to reach the main aim the following detailed problems have been stated.
Material and methods. In the following thesis three original surveys have been used: the first one aimed at general practitioners, the second one to gynecologists and the third one to the group of women. Each one of the surveys consisted of an introduction, questions for the interviewees: closed and semi-open allowing to write people’s own opinion and the explanation, being the last part of a questionnaire.
Results. Over half of the doctors taking part in the survey (51 interviewees – 64% of a group) admits that they do not inform their patients about the symptoms of a breast cancer. Quite a smaller group (29 interviewees – 36% of all the people asked) claims that they provide their patients with this kind of information.
Conclusions. General practitioners as well as gynecologists estimate their knowledge of the prevention of cancer as sufficient and they claim to educate themselves in this matter. However, they limit their role in the prevention activity to discussions about research for early detection. General practitioners do not feel the responsibility to inform their patients about the symptoms of breast cancer, whereas gynecologists give the women information about factors which can protect them from having cancer as well as information about the factors which increase the risk of the disease.