engleski

Tracheal, bronchal and lung cancer prevention in the Osijek municipality

In 1990-2000, the number of patients of all cancer sites increased by 28.4 % but the number oftracheal, bronchial and lung cancer patients increased by 18.2 %. The number of deaths from all cancer sites increased by 8.8 %, and the number ofby 7.7 %. In Osijek-Baranja County, during the same period, the nu mb er of patients from all cancer sites increased by 14.6 %, but the number of tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer increased by 21.6 %. The number of deaths from all cancer sites increased by 2.3%, and number of deaths from tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer increased by 6.0 %. The ratio of the tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer in the total cancer prevalence was 15.5 % in the year 2000 for the whole of Croatia, and 17.3 % for the Osijek-Baranja County. 'The death rate ratio from the tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer was 21 % for Croatia and 23.1 % for Osijek-Baranja County. The health care program against lung cancer should be based on primary prevention in which individuals and families have to take up responsibilities changing their behaviour to reduce smoking. The health care servite should take its responsibility in organizing and coordinating the program. Taking into account the American Cancer Society recommendations by the year 2015, cancer incidence should be reduced by 25 %, mortality by 50 %, quality of life increased, smoking among aduIts decreased by 12 %, among younger than 18 by 10 %, and the number of schools which will. implement health educational programs increased by 50 %. The city of Osijek League Against Cancer implements health educational measures in the population covering information on risk factors and early symptoms, self-protection and caring for ili and terminal patients. The League published several publications, supported postgraduate education and manuals for general practitioners, internet portal web design (www.prevenciiaraka.org). electronic communica¬ ; tion (liga@prevenciiaraka.org) with citizens and health practitioners. The family and school doctors and health visitors are involved in the program. Family practitioners should have an even greater role in the implementation of preventive meas ures against lung cancer because of very good service network development, continuity of care, close communication with the community and their readiness to be involved in the program. The cost of the program calculated per individual are not very high but the total program costs should not be neglected. It was calculated (Jakšić, Kovačić) that for the average population (1750 patients) one GP team should sp end 55.5 hours for the program per year (2.8 % of the total working time). For printing ofbrochures additional21 Okunas should be added. The ongoing action "Say YES to nonsmoking" could be a good starting point for systematic program of lung cancer prevention.

cancer; respiratory tract; morbidity; mortality; prevention; general practitioners

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