Screening for early detection: incidence and findings in rural settlements over eight years

• Published in: Preventive medicine Vol. 3; no. 1; pp. 142 - 153
• Main Authors: Izsak, F.Ch, Brenner, H.J., Medalie, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.1974
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; False Negative Reactions; Female; Humans; Israel; Male; Mass Screening; Middle Aged; Multiphasic Screening; Neoplasms - diagnosis; Neoplasms - epidemiology; Rural Health; Social Conditions; Socioeconomic Factors; Time Factors; Israel
• ISSN: 0091-7435; 1096-0260
• DOI: 10.1016/0091-7435(74)90069-3

From 1965 to 1972 an annual detection screening program was carried out, as part of the Donolo Hospital Early Detection Clinic, on the over-35-year-old members of a stable agricultural population (kibbutz). The screened individuals were of equal socioeconomic status with excellent medical services. During this period 6859 examinations were carried out. The program covered all the physically accessible sites (no laboratory assistance), and the examinations took place in the medical centers of the settlements. All adults were examined at least once with the overall coverage being 58.7%. There were 103 cancer cases found over the eight year period, both by screening and the ordinary medical care service. This gave an approximate incidence 2.2 malignancies/1000 of all ages and 6.1/1000 adults aged 35 and over. The common cancers were of the skin, breast, and prostate while 70% of all cancers over the eight year period were in sites accessible to a simple clinical screening examination. It is stressed that a screening program should be an integral part of the medical care services round the primary or family physician.