Pulmonary cancer from the general practitioner's point of view: Experience from the health centre area of Kungsbacka, Sweden

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Abstract
To study the incidence of pulmonary cancer in a community with special reference to the diagnostic process and the role of the general practitioner. Study of the records of all patients within the community with pulmonary cancer reported to the Swedish Cancer Registry during the years 1980-1984. The community of Kungsbacka in southwestern Sweden with about 48,000 inhabitants. 40 subjects with pulmonary cancer. Incidence, main symptoms, level of care, doctor delay, survival rate. The incidence was 16 per 100,000 per year. Most patients first visited a general practitioner. Most common initial symptom was cough. Mean doctor delay was 12.5 weeks. The five-year mortality rate was 95%. The high mortality emphasizes the importance of an early diagnosis. The general practitioners are very important in the diagnostic process.