Screening and prevention of second primary cancers by hospital-based oncology professionals

Cancer survivors face an increased risk of second primaries, but adherence to cancer screening and prevention recommendations remains limited. Post-treatment follow-up visits represent teachable moments for health promotion, including prevention of second primary cancers. We assessed practices and perceptions of second cancer screening and prevention among French hospital-based oncology health care professionals. An anonymous online survey using Likert scale was conducted. Clustering identified three prevention activity profiles (low, intermediate, high), and multinomial logistic regression explored associated factors. The median declared promotion activity of the 415 respondents was 8 for mammographic screening ([interquartile range: 5–10), 7 (2–9) for cervical cancer screening, 5 (1–7) for colorectal screening, 9 (7–10) for smoking cessation, and 7 (5–9) for alcohol control. Seventy-five percent of respondents addressed obesity management if indicated. Perceived importance and feasibility of secondary prevention activities were high [9 (7–10) and 8 (6–10)]. A high prevention activity profile was associated with greater perceived importance of secondary prevention [odds ratio (OR) per one-point Likert-scale increase = 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–1.2] and its feasibility (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.06–1.14); and managing head and neck cancer patients (OR = 7.64, 95% CI 1.55–37.8). Lung and sarcoma specialists were less likely to be in the high prevention activity group. Hospital-based oncology health care professionals are aware of and engaged in second primary cancer prevention, though activity levels vary. Its generalization, organization, and development could improve cancer survivors’ adherence to cancer prevention recommendations, and improve health impacts.