Can we improve the uptake of gastroscopy in the population at risk for gastric cancer?
The effect of home letter information P. McCULLOCH,* E. WILLIAMS,+ C. McCULLOCH* AND D. MULLINS# *Department of Surgery, University of Liverpool, Duncan Building, Liverpool, +Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Registry, Muspratt Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, #Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust, Lower Lane Liverpool, UK The poor outlook for gastric cancer in Britain is largely due to late diagnosis. Earlier diagnosis will require bath easy access to endoscopy and increased public awareness of dyspeptic symptoms. We used information by personal letter to encourage reporting of potentially significant symptoms in patients over 40 years of age. The aim of this study was to measure the acceptability and effect on gastroscopy rates of home letter information. Patients aver 40 registered with 12 general practices were used in the study (practice population 80000). Patients over 40 from another nine practices (practice population 46500) acted as controls. A letter encouraging consultation
