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Optimal Care Pathways – Oesophagogastric Cancer OCP

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Home Our Work Best practice, prevention, management and support Optimal Care Pathways – Oesophagogastric Cancer OCP

Oesophagogastric cancers have a low incidence and poor prognosis, with five-year survival rates ranging from 20 to 30%. Further details are available in the fact sheet linked to below.

There is an important role for GPs in delivering preventative health messages on smoking cessation and moderation of alcohol intake; awareness of risk factors and symptoms for earlier diagnosis; correct referral to appropriate specialists; and monitoring and supporting patients through treatment, which is usually palliative rather than curative in intent.

The most common symptoms of OG cancer are:

  • dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
  • persistent epigastric
  • pain/dyspepsia
  • pain on swallowing
  • food bolus obstruction
  • unexplained weight
  • loss or anorexia
  • haematemesis (vomiting blood) and/or melena
  • early satiety
  • unexplained nausea/bloatedness or anaemia

In Victoria, all six PHNs are working together to promote the adoption of the OG Optimal Care Pathway into primary health in 2018. This project is supported by the Victorian Government.

Following the Optimal Care Pathway has the potential to significantly improve the experience for patients by building general practice’s awareness of symptoms, referral pathways, management options and supportive care needs.

Resources for Oesophagogastric Cancer:

  • OG cancer A4 poster 1
  • OG cancer A4 poster 2
  • OG cancer fact sheet

Contact for more information:

Project Manager, Statewide Optimal Care Pathways
Rachael Ball
ph. 03 93471188

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Copyright 2022 Victorian and Tasmanian PHN Alliance
  • About us
    • About the Alliance
    • Collaboration
    • Leadership
    • PHN Publications
    • Thought Leadership
  • Our Work
    • Best practice, prevention, management and support
      • Accelerated uptake of Hepatitis C medicines
      • Carer Awareness in General Practice
      • Community led cancer screening
      • GP Respiratory Clinics
      • Infection Prevention Helpline
      • Lymphoedema Primary Care Capacity Building
      • Optimal Care Pathways
        • Optimal Care Pathways – Oesophagogastric Cancer OCP
        • Optimal Care Pathways – Prostate Cancer
      • Place-based Suicide Prevention
      • Priority Primary Care Centres
      • Statewide Paediatric HealthPathways Project
      • Victorian HIV and Hepatitis Integrated Training and Learning
    • Connecting health with other sectors
      • Doctors in Secondary Schools
        • Apply to Doctors in Secondary Schools: one day out of your everyday
      • Enhancing Mental Health Support in Secondary Schools
    • Health system integration and reform translation
      • Alcohol and other Drug Integration
      • Care Pathways and Referral
        • COVID-19 care pathways
      • Enhancing Carers Supports Within Primary Health Care
      • Mental Health Integration
      • My Health Record Expansion
      • PIP QI Incentive partnership
      • Population Health Planning
      • SafeScript
      • State Emergency and Support Recovery
      • Statewide Specialist Clinic Referral Criteria
        • Statewide Specialist Clinic Referral Criteria – Communications Toolkit
      • The National Disability Insurance Scheme in Victoria and Tasmania
      • Voluntary Assisted Dying
  • News and Education
    • Education and Calendars
    • News
    • Online Learning
  • SafeScript Training
  • Contact
    • Contact us
    • Our PHNs
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