General practitioners and cancer control

Cancer is the leading cause of death among Australians, causing 28 of all deaths. The average general practitioner will only encounter about four new patients each year with a potentially fatal cancer. A GP s cancer-related workload mostly involves prevention, and dealing with patients with suspicious symptoms or concerns about possible cancer, or who may be at increased risk due to family history or lifestyle factors. GPs cover the full spectrum of cancer care from prevention to palliation, including providing psychosocial support to patients and their families and carers. GPs have a key role in early diagnosis and referral, follow-up and detection of recurrence, and survivorship. There is a developing role for GPs in cancer policy and research.