Warning by new NHS England chief not to ignore cancer signs

The new head of the NHS in England, is urging that stomach pain or a cough that does not go away could be signs of cancer and these symptoms should be checked out.

Amanda Pritchard, NHS England chief executive, said that thousands of people could be risking their lives by delaying seeking medical help.

Most cancers can be treated quickly and easily if detected at an early stage.  However, research suggests that three in five people say they don’t want to bother the NHS, while others are unaware of common cancer symptoms.

Ms Pritchard said that cancer services are now “running at full speed with new, innovative ways of working in place”.

However, over the last twelve months, 10 per cent fewer people than normal have started cancer treatment I England and people are being encouraged to come forward.

Experts believe urological cancers such as prostate, kidney and bladder, and abdominal cancers such as throat, stomach, bowel, pancreatic and ovarian, are the most likely to go unrecognised.  NHS figures show that these account for 44 per cent of all cancer diagnoses and two in five deaths from cancer in England.

Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer at NHS England and NHS Improvement, said that although GPs were “incredibly busy” currently and many consultations were taking place over the telephone, there was scope for seeing patients in person.

He said “If you’ve got symptoms, you probably do need to see somebody face to face and all our GPs can see people face to face.”

Dr Gary Howsam, vice-chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said “What we need is for GPs to have better access to diagnostic tests in the community and training to use them appropriately so that our decision to refer can be as informed as it possibly can be.”

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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