Evaluation of Medical Students' knowledge on Early Cancer Detection in a Public Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: In Brazil, cancer is the second cause of mortality from disease. Early diagnosis has a significant impact on mortality rates, given that one of the factors that hinder treatment is the advanced stage in which the disease is detected. It is thus of paramount importance that medical students know the early detection guidelines recommended by the National Cancer Institute (INCA), since recently graduated physicians are those that tend to occupy the front lines in the health system and can thus apply the guidelines and reduce progression of the disease. The current study focused on knowledge in fifth and sixth-year medical students at the State University in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil, on early detection strategies for breast, prostate, skin, lung, cervical, and colorectal cancer, according to INCA guidelines. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a questionnaire on early detection measures adopted by medical students for breast, prostate, skin, lung, cervical, and colorectal cancer. The data were analyzed using EpiInfo. Results: Out of a total medical school class of 90, 66 students participated in the study. The types of cancer that the medical students cited as most common were: breast (93.4%), prostate (96.9%), and cervical (93.9%). Conclusion: The majority of students cited early detection measures for prostate and lung cancer that are not recommended by the INCA for the overall population. The students proved to have good knowledge of early detection strategies for breast, cervical, and skin cancer. The majority of the students were unable to distinguish between early cancer signs and late manifestations.