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Introduction: Since many of the patients seen in the vascular office are elderly with a history of diabetes, one might expect them to be at high risk of colon cancer, diabetic eye complications, breast cancer, and cervical cancer. In addition, since most of the patients are referred from primary care specialists, one might expect that many have already undergone screening for these types of issues. Since this has been contrary to our observations, we queried our patients as to their last colonoscopy, diabetic eye exams, mammograms, and pap smear.
Methods: The office records of four hundred and one consecutive patients seen in our suburban outpatient office. These were compared to 800 consecutive patients in our urban office. All patients were referred from outside physicians.
Results: In our suburban office, 297 patients were female. Of the 431 patients that had a colonoscopy 334 of them had a colonoscopy in the past 10 years.(77%) Out of the 115 diabetics 95 of them have seen their eye doctor in the past 2 years. (82.6%) Out of the 297 women 274 of the women had a mammogram in the past. Only 189 of those women had their mammograms done in the past 2 years. (69%) Out of the 297 women 278 had a pap smear. Out of the 278, 155 of them had a pap smear in the past 2 years. (55.8%)
In our urban office 416 of the patients were female. Of the 800 patients, colonoscopies were up to date for 141 (34 %) (p<0.001). Diabetic eye care was up to date in 201 (90%). Mammogram screening was up to date in 191 ( 46 %) (p<0.001).. Pap smear testing was up to date in 199 (48 %) (P<0.04).
Conclusion:
The trip to the vascular office represents an opportunity for health screening however these efforts need to be targeted.