Perceptions and beliefs of general practitioners on their role in the cancer screening programmes in the Netherlands: a mixed-methods study

Table 1 Key characteristics of the population-based cancer screening programmes of the Netherlands

	CC-SP	BC-SP	CRC-SP
Since (year)	1979 (pilots from 1976)	1990 (pilots from 1984)	2014 (fully operational since 2019)
Population
Age boundaries	30–60	50–75	55–75
Sex	F	F	F & M
Interval (years)	5	2	2
Screening test	HPV-test, if HPV positive then cytology (Pap-smear)	Mammography (bilateral)	Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
General practitioner involvement	Performing pap-smear, discuss outcome, hospital referral^a	Discuss outcome, hospital referral^b	None^c; discuss outcome
Screening outcome	HPV absent, present or unclear (re-testing). When applicable Pap-classification and HPV-typology.	Abnormality absent, abnormality present, not enough information (BI-RADS-code 0–5)	Negative (no examination needed), positive (examination needed), unclear (re-testing)
Financing
Invitation, screening test(s) and analyses	Dutch government
Secondary test(s) and treatment	Standard healthcare, hence depending on one’s individual insurance policy

CC Cervical Cancer, BC Breast Cancer, CRC Colorectal Cancer, SP Screening programme, F Female, M Male, HPV Human Papillomavirus
^aFrom 2017 onward, women can opt to receive a self-sampling test (after being invited). The outcome of the self-sampling test is not automatically shared with the GP due to privacy legislation. Outcomes will only be shared with the GP if it is explicitly stated that the GP is allowed to receive this information. Hence, the GP no longer plays an essential role in this CSP. If HVP is detected, women are recommended to contact their GP to have a smear test taken at the GP practice
^bIn cases where no abnormalities are detected, the GP will not be involved
^cSince 2017, the GP no longer automatically receives the outcome of a FIT. Outcomes will only be shared with the GP if it is explicitly stated that the GP is allowed to receive this information. After a positive FIT patients are encouraged to seek contact with their GP

ISSN: 2731-4553