General practitioners mobilize to confront a cancer cluster

: With a view to respond to the growing concerns of a neighborhood population where a cluster of cancer was observed in 2002, public health authorities organized monitoring and surveillance activities by mobilizing local general practitioners (GPs). The monitoring activity has been carried out in the form of a free annual prevention consultation available at some local GPs' offices. Five years after the initiation of this monitoring activity, it was deemed interesting and necessary to make a review of the activity to take stock of the procedures established. Various data sources have been analyzed: anonymous records and files completed by GPs, answers to satisfaction enquiries sent out to the beneficiaries of the action in 2008, and the compilation of feedback and reactions of participating GPs during the annual meetings with the team responsible for monitoring. In 5 years, 29% of the population concerned went to one consultation at least. The percentage of participants gradually decreased to 2% at the fifth visit. The follow-up consultation was considered to be satisfactory by the surveyed population, and GP volunteers confirmed their interest in this approach. The positive atmosphere in which the follow-up and the monitoring took place is noteworthy and corroborates the role that health professionals can play in the management of a cancer cluster.