Mammography rates were higher in the checkup group as well, but by a lesser margin, probably because Group Health sends reminders to all women who are due for a mammogram.

The screening gaps persisted regardless of how many "illness" visits patients had during the study period, suggesting doctors may not have time to advocate for cancer screening when they're evaluating a sick patient.

Other evidence supports this view: Fenton notes that one recent survey found 97 percent of primary care physicians said they recommend appropriate cancer screening to patients during preventive visits, but few bring up the subject during other visits.

"The preventive health exam may be an auspicious time to promote cancer screening," Fenton said. "These visits may afford primary care physicians the opportunity to discuss and recommend cancer screening when indicated, and physicians' recommendations have been consistently associated with timely cancer screening."

'"/>

Contact: Claudia Morain
claudia.morain@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
916-734-9023
University of California - Davis
26-Mar-2007