Perceptions and Practices of Family Physicians Regarding Diet and Cancer

This study was undertaken to determine the beliefs of family physicians about the role of diet and cancer, as well as to determine how often family physicians assess dietary risks in patient encounters and recommend preventive dietary practices to reduce cancer risk. This study consisted of a survey of a national random sample of 486 family physicians from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and 237 responded (49%). The demographic characteristics of the respondents were determined to be similar to those of the AAFP membership. Thirty-five percent of the physicians surveyed responded that diet is important in the development of cancer. While 31 % responded they recommend dietary changes to reduce cancer risk to their patients, only 21% agreed that they find counseling patients about dietary issues professionally gratifying. Respondents agreed with most of the American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, and surgeon general’s dietary recommendations to reduce cancer risk. The level of agreement to broad general recommendations was higher than the level of agreement to specific dietary recommendations that stated a specific level or amount of consumption.