Cancer - Some Referred To Specialists Later

A recent study, published Online First in The Lancet Oncology, reveals that although 77% of cancer patients who have strange symptoms are usually sent to the hospital after 1 or 2 consultations, non-white patients, young people, women, and people with uncommon cancers often see their doctors 2 to 3 times before being referred to a cancer specialist.

The study also shows the large differences in the speed of doctors in England when it comes to diagnosing different types of cancer. This is due to the fact that patients with symptoms showing possible multiple melanoma, lung, and pancreatic cancer need many more consultations to determine what is really going on compared to patients with common cancers, such as melanoma, testicular, and breast cancer.

Georgios Lyratzopoulos, lead author of the study, from Cambridge University in the UK commented:

"These findings highlight limitations in current scientific knowledge. Medical research in recent decades has prioritized improving cancer treatments, but knowledge about the 'symptom signature' of common cancers and practical solutions on how best to diagnose them is still emerging. We hope our research can help to generate support for further research into the diagnosis of those cancers where the challenge of section is greatest. This will improve the patients experience of cancer diagnosis and can also lead to earlier and more effective treatment."

Researchers explain that the number of visits a patient has with their doctor before being referred to the hospital can greatly impact the patient experience.