28.05.15
GPs are too slow to refer cancer patients for tests
GPs in the UK are less likely to refer patients who might have cancer to a specialist or for further tests than doctors in other countries, a new study has revealed.
Researchers analysed survey responses from 2,795 GPs around the world on how they would manage different scenarios of patients coming to them with possible cases of either lung, colorectal or ovarian cancer. These were then mapped against survival data for those countries.
The research, published in BMJ Open, shows a link between survival and those countries where GPs were more likely to refer patients immediately and those who did not. The UK-based GPs were least likely to refer quickly.
Doctors in the UK, Norway, Sweden, Australia and Canada took party in the study. One of the hypothetical scenarios involved a 53-year-old woman who had her last period six months ago and had suffered abdominal pain for the last three weeks – potential symptoms of ovarian cancer but also many other diseases.
In the UK, 38% of doctors said they would refer the patient for cancer testing while the figure was 61% in the other countries.
Cancer Research UK said the percentage of ovarian cancer patients surviving one year or more after diagnosis was 65% in the UK and 73% in the rest of the world.
GPs were also asked a series of questions including what access they had to specific tests, waiting times for tests and results and whether they could speak to cancer specialists for advice.
More than 70% of GPs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland reported direct access to blood tests, X-rays and ultrasound for possible cancer diagnosis – similar to the rest of the countries.
Australian GPs in Victoria reported the highest access – around 99% – to all these tests.
But only about one in five GPs in England reported having direct access to CT and MRI scans while their peers in all other countries reported having at least twice the level of direct access to these tests.
UK GPs also reported some of the longest waiting times for the results of scans.
Northern Ireland has the longest waiting times for tests and results of ultrasound and CT scans, around seven to eight weeks for each. England’s waiting time for the same tests was nearly five weeks and Wales was around seven weeks for both types of scan. The best performing region was New South Wales with a total waiting time of around one and a half weeks.
Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK’s director of early diagnosis, said: “If the UK system means that patients are not being referred for tests or GPs able to get a specialist opinion as necessary, then this can contribute to cancers being diagnosed and treated at a later stage and we urgently need to address this.
“A system that allows GPs to refer people when and if they suspect cancer is vital to ensure early diagnosis and access to the best treatments. Cancer Research UK is working with GPs to improve early diagnosis and with local and national decision makers to ensure people with cancer are diagnosed promptly and efficiently.”
Dr Richard Roope, Royal College of GPs and Cancer Research UK’s clinical lead for cancer, added: “We must remember that the average GP sees hundreds if not thousands of patients a year with potential cancer symptoms – but only an average of eight will be diagnosed with cancer. Data suggests that more cancer cases are being diagnosed earlier, but there is still room for improvement.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]