Updated NICE guidelines on cancer referrals could save lives

With approximately 30,000 cases of cancer diagnosed in the UK each year and the average survival rate falling behind those in Europe for common cancers such as lung, colon, ovary and kidney new guidelines have recently been welcomed by the GP profession.

Often patients present to their GP with non-specific symptoms, such as fatigue or stomach pain, which can easily be mistaken for other common conditions. The new guidance groups together sets of symptoms for most common forms of cancer, for example, lung cancer. This is not just identified by the chronic cough we are all told to pay attention to. The NICE guidelines draw the GP's attention to specific symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, appetite loss and weight loss. The new guidance allows extra testing to be performed under a two week referral and allows GP's to request more extensive investigations than they had previously been able to. Under the guidance, test results in suspected cancer cases are also to be made available faster, which is welcomed, as earlier diagnosis and treatment means better survival rates.

With over 40,000 GP's in Britain, the average GP will diagnose approximately 8 cases of cancer annually, but, the introduction of these guidelines means as the test and referral system is to extended potentially 5,000 lives a year could be saved.

Dr Steve Hajioff, a director of public health and chair of the NICE guidance group told Radio 4's Today Programme that 'we know there are about 10,000 people a year dying of cancer in the UK, over and above the European average, and about half of these 5,000 a year because of delayed diagnosis. We have broadened the criteria for those who should be tested to eliminate as much as we can of those 5,000 people who shouldn’t be dying every year.'

Carlos Lopez, director of clinical negligence at Vincents Solicitors says “the implication of new referral guidelines dealing specifically with the potential diagnosis of cancer is undoubtedly a lifesaving change. The key is now ensuring the guidelines are consistently applied by GP’s and other healthcare professionals on a national level to ensure referral systems are synchronised and patients receive the same level of attention throughout the country. It remains to be seen whether training will be implemented by GP practices to ensure this occurs but the revised guidelines are a welcome first step.“

Rachel Simms, trainee solicitor in the department states “the recognition of the delay in diagnosis is a positive step to change. The revision of the guidelines should help to focus GP’s attentions on non-specific symptoms which can sometimes be missed at routine appointments. If this leads to earlier detection and treatment of cancer then the target of saving at least 5,000 lives a year should be met.”