Curriculum for General Practice - The Royal New Zealand College ...

Oncology
O
Oncology
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death
in New Zealand, accounting for around
29 percent of deaths from all causes. 1 This
increasing incidence is in part due to ageing
of the population. In particular, Māori and
Pacific people are over-represented in cancer
statistics, and may present later in their illness
for a variety of reasons. This further increases
the gap in life expectancy for Māori and
Pacific people compared to all others.
Cancer treatment in New Zealand is provided at most district
health boards (DHBs) in New Zealand overseen by six regional
cancer centre DHBs. This means that many patients may
have to travel significant distances to receive active treatment,
making all those who live outside the main centres ‘remote’.
This may have a profound impact on all aspects of their
wellbeing and that of their family/whānau and carers, and will
add an extra, difficult dimension to treatment decisions.
The role of the general practitioner is to provide professional
skills, knowledge and support of the patient, family/whānau
and carers from screening and prevention, through diagnosis,
treatment, ongoing surveillance and where appropriate,
palliative and bereavement care. Advocating for the patient
and coordination of care are vital roles. Culturally safe practice,
in its broadest sense, is paramount.
It has been stated that an ‘average general practitioner’ will
have around four patients per year who are newly diagnosed
with a potentially fatal malignancy. 2 This is a relatively
uncommon but important occurrence in general practice
and the support of an interdisciplinary team is essential. New
Zealand guidelines are available and are aimed at streamlining
investigation, referral and reducing ethnic disparities when
dealing with suspected cancer in primary care. 3
1
Ministry of Health. 2010. Cancer: New Registrations and Deaths 2006. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
2
McAvoy BR. 2007. General practitioners and cancer control. Med J Aust 187:115-117.
3
New Zealand Guidelines Group. 2009. Suspected Cancer in Primary Care: Guidelines for investigation, referral and reducing ethnic disparities.
Ministry of Health, Wellington.
www.rnzcgp.org.nz
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