To find cancer of the breast early, women ages 40 and over must get a physical breast exam and a mammogram every year. To find cancer of the colon and rectum early, people ages 40 and over should be getting a digital rectal exam every year, and people ages 50 and over should be getting a fecal occult blood test every year and sigmoidoscopy every five years. Screening Recommendations from the Cancer Control Plan We must reduce barriers to cancer control. People of low s.e.s. have poor access to the primary care providers who should counsel them about preventive behaviors and screen them for cancer. Clinical trials are not understood by the public and are under-used by physicians.
Hospice care is under-used.
Hospice care that relies on the 24-hour availability of family care givers is not practical for many terminally ill cancer patients, especially those of low s.e.s. Cancer surveillance can be improved. Cancer surveillance is good in Rhode Island. The reporting of simple statistical information from licensed hospices to the Rhode Island Department of Health on the use of hospice services We must work on 6 cancer control priorities. Send simple cancer control messages to people of low s.e.s., using culturally relevant messages.