26
Apr 2017
Thousands of cancer patients being sent away three times without a diagnosis
A study has revealed that GPs are failing to spot cancer in tens of thousands of patients and seven in ten people who had the illness picked up in casualty had it missed by their GP. Around 32,000 of these patients visited their GP three times without a diagnosis.
The research was undertaken by Public Health England, University College London and Cambridge University, and looked at the cases of 4,647 cancer patients in England who were diagnosed in accident and emergency units in 2010. 71 per cent of these patients had already been to see their GP, 41 per cent three times or more.
The research did not look into the reasons behind why GPs were missing cancer.
The study was funded by Cancer Research UK and the charity’s Dr Julie Sharp said “We need to continue to increase awareness of cancer signs and symptoms, and help break down the barriers preventing people from seeing their GP earlier.
“GPs need better access to the right tests and referral routes if we want to see this number reduced.”
The Royal College of GPs’ Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard said “GPs take their role in diagnosing cancer as early as possible very seriously and we would urge patients who experience any concerning or persistent symptoms to book an appointment with their GP.”
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Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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