Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics
| Variable | Surgeon (%) n=55 | GP (%) n=55 | Total (%) n=110 | p Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age group | ||||
| <50 | 2 (3.6) | 6 (10.9) | 7 (6.3) | 0.10 |
| 50–59 | 8 (14.5) | 6 (10.9) | 14 (12.7) | 0.56 |
| 60–69 | 23 (41.8) | 24 (43.6) | 47 (42.7) | 0.84 |
| 70–75* | 22 (40.0) | 19 (34.5) | 41 (38.0) | 0.55 |
| Mean age (SD) | 66.7 (7.3) | 64.0 (8.7) | 65.4 (8.1) | 0.09 |
| Gender | ||||
| Male | 32 (58.2) | 33 (60.0) | 65 (59.1) | 0.84 |
| Female | 23 (41.8) | 22 (40.0) | 45 (40.9) | 0.84 |
| Education | ||||
| Primary | 20 (36.3) | 18 (32.7) | 38 (34.5) | 0.68 |
| Secondary | 21 (38.1) | 25 (45.4) | 46 (41.8) | 0.49 |
| University <4 years | 8 (14.5) | 5 (9.0) | 13 (11.8) | 0.37 |
| University >4 years | 6 (10.9) | 7 (12.7) | 13 (11.8) | 0.76 |
| Income level | ||||
| Median (£) | 32–42 000 | 32–42000 | 32–42000 | |
| Main activity | ||||
| Employment | 12 (21.8) | 17 (30.9) | 29 (26.3) | 0.27 |
| Home | 3 (5.4) | 9 (16.3) | 11 (10.0) | 0.06 |
| Out of work | 0 (0) | 1 (1.8) | 1 (0.9) | |
| Pensioner | 40 (72.7) | 28 (50.9) | 68 (61.8) | 0.01 |
| Location of surgery | ||||
| University hospital (n=1) | 34 (61.8) | 37 (67.3) | 71 (64.5) | 0.55 |
| Local hospital (n=3) | 21 (38.1) | 18 (32.7) | 39 (35.4) | 0.55 |
| Clinical characteristics | ||||
| Tumour location | ||||
| Cøkum | 13 (23.6) | 13 (23.6) | 26 (23.6) | 1.0 |
| Ascendens | 9 (16.3) | 5 (9.1) | 14 (12.7) | 0.25 |
| Transversum | 4 (7.2) | 5 (9.1) | 9 (8.1) | 0.72 |
| Decendens | 1 (1.8) | 4 (1.8) | 5 (4.5) | 0.15 |
| Sigmoid | 28 (50.9) | 28 (50.9) | 56 (50.9) | 1.0 |
| Elevated preoperative CEA | 19 (34.5) | 23 (41.8) | 42 (38.1) | 0.55 |
| Type of surgery | ||||
| Laparoscopic surgery | 14 (25.5) | 11 (20.0) | 25 (22.7) | 0.49 |
| Open surgery | 41 (74.5) | 44 (80.0) | 85 (77.3) | 0.49 |
| Tumour stage | ||||
| Dukes A | 12 (21.8) | 11 (20.0) | 24 (21.8) | 0.81 |
| Dukes B | 25 (45.5) | 30 (54.5) | 55 (50.0) | 0.34 |
| Dukes C | 18 (32.7) | 14 (25.5) | 32 (29.0) | 0.40 |
| New surgery owing to complications | 6 (10.9) | 9 (16.4) | 15 (13.6) | 0.40 |
| Permanent stoma | 8 (14.5) | 7 (12.7) | 15 (13.6) | 0.78 |
| 6 months chemotherapy regime | 18 (32.7) | 14 (25.5) | 32 (29.1) | 0.40 |
*Patients <75 years were included in the survey. p Values calculated with χ square, t test and Fisher's exact test when appropriate.
GP, general practitioner.