Assessment of the oncological component of the adult medical examination: the opinion of oncological experts

In the Russian Federation, cancer ranks as the second leading cause of mortality attributed to non-communicable diseases. The early detection of cancer, particularly at stages I and II, is pivotal in reducing cancer-related mortality rates. This detection is significantly facilitated through the oncological component of the follow-up care. Objective. To evaluate expert oncologists' perspectives on the organization of the oncological component of the follow-up care. Materials and methods. The study was conducted through interviews with expert oncologists and the use of specially designed questionnaires. A total of 23 oncologists participated in the survey. Statistical analysis of the gathered data was performed using Microsoft Excel. Results. The majority of experts appraised the current state of preventive initiatives within healthcare as satisfactory. They deemed the existing follow-up care system for the adult population appropriate and recognized a high level of cancer alertness among healthcare professionals involved in these activities. A significant consensus among experts indicated a need for additional training for both healthcare professionals involved in follow-up care and the general public to enhance cancer alertness. The interviews addressed various aspects, including the scope and effectiveness of screening measures and test methodologies for the early detection of malignancies, the nuances of documenting newly diagnosed neoplasms, patient routing, and the potential involvement of oncologists in the follow-up care program. Subsequently, the experts identified several factors that influence the detection of cancer during follow-up care and proposed strategies to enhance the effectiveness of the oncological component of these activities. Conclusions. The findings from this survey study underscore the imperative for further investigation into the oncological component of follow-up care to refine the methodologies employed and improve assessment.