Gynaecological Cancer Screening Gets Education Boost, Australia

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Ovarian Cancer
Article Date: 28 Jul 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has launched a new online learning activity designed to support GPs in boosting their knowledge in assessing female patients for symptoms of important gynaecological cancers.

This new learning module is a Cancer Australia - National Centre for Gynaecological Cancers initiative, which is available through the RACGP's online education portal gplearning at http://www.gplearning.com.au.

"Gynaecological malignancies are not often treated in general practice; however we do care for some patients with this condition. Given its infrequency and symptoms that can be shared with other conditions, such as abdominal pain and fatigue in ovarian cancer, or premenopausal irregular bleeding in endometrial cancer, identifying risk factors and diagnosing gynaecological cancer can be a challenge," said Dr Morton Rawlin, GP and RACGP Director of Education.

"GPs play a key role in gynaecological cancer prevention and treating patients with suspicious symptoms or concerns, or who may be at increased risk of gynaecological cancer due to factors including family history, lifestyle and age.

"As well as prevention, the GP's role covers the full scope of care from screening and early diagnosis to referral, follow-up and detection of recurrence, through to palliative care, including providing psychosocial support to patients, their families and carers.

"This new education module provides an interactive and practical approach to managing gynaecological malignancies in general practice. As it is available online, GPs can complete this learning activity anywhere at any time," said Dr Morton Rawlin, GP and RACGP Director of Education.

The new activity, which is free for RACGP members, consists of four case studies covering ovarian, cervical, endometrial and vulval cancer and a pre- and post-test.

At the end of this module GPs should be able to:

- recognise common symptoms
- identify the risk factors
- identify the age group of the at-risk female population
- outline the systematic procedures involved in their early detection and diagnosis
- recognise barriers to prevention
- discuss the benefits of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach to managing patients with these gynaecological cancers
- discuss the care and management of women with these gynaecological cancers.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is responsible for maintaining standards for quality clinical practice, education and training, and research in Australian general practice. The RACGP has the largest general practitioner membership of any medical organisation in Australia and represents the majority of Australia's general practitioners.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

The National Centre for Gynaecological Cancers is an Australian Government initiative to improve outcomes for women affected by gynaecological cancers, their families and carers, and to lessen the impact of cancer on their lives. It has been established by Cancer Australia.

Cancer Australia

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