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03
Nov 2015
“Unacceptable variation” in early cancer diagnosis
Experts are warning that opportunities are being missed to diagnose cancer earlier in patients in England and increase their chances of survival.
Cancer Research UK has found, after reviewing cases in 2012 and 2013, that there is an “unacceptable variation” between different areas, and it said that if all areas across the country were at the same level as the best, 20,000 cases could be spotted earlier.
Half of cancers are found at a late stage in Merseyside, which is the worst area in the country for late diagnosis, compared with Bath and Swindon, where 40% of cancers are found late.
The charity has said that it is unclear why there is such a variation, although it said that one factor could be the differences in types of cancer being diagnosed. Some cancers are easier to spot earlier than others, although the charity has said that it was likely that there were other factors to consider.
Dr Jodie Moffat from Cancer Research UK, said “These might include patients not going to their doctor as early as they could with possible cancer symptoms, and GPs sometimes failing to suspect cancer or not referring patients for diagnostic tests promptly.”
NHS England recently launched a cancer strategy, with early diagnosis being one of the key themes. It also pledged a diagnosis target to help to save lives of four weeks from urgent GP referral. A key element to this strategy was to enable GPs to order tests directly instead of having to go through a hospital consultant.
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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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