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The responsibility of the family physician in the detection of gynecologic cancer
Author(s) -
Williams Paul A.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19810715)48:1+<527::aid-cncr2820481315>3.0.co;2-z
Subject(s) - gynecologic cancer , medicine , referral , family medicine , health care , family member , nursing , health maintenance , cancer , ovarian cancer , economics , economic growth
The family physician's role in health maintenance and preventive medicine places him or her in a unique position in providing care for the gynecologic patient. Illness as well as health has been a traditionally matriarchal responsibility and therefore places the woman at risk for gynecologic cancer in contact with her family physician at a greater frequency than other specialties. Caring for the family's health needs should be used as an opportunity for the physician and the patient to discuss her own personal health care needs, which include those in the field of gynecology. Family physicians will not provide definitive treatment for major gynecologic malignacies; however physicians must know the best referral opportunities available to the patient and to the consultant. The family physician must further be able and willing to reassume follow‐up care after definitive therapy has been effected.