More than 300,000 are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK but in Australia, Canada, Sweden and Norway more lives are saved
Cancer is more likely to kill patients in Britain because GPs are too slow to send them for tests, says a disturbing survey.
Survival rates are better in countries with comparable health systems where family doctors are faster at referring people for checks, or to specialists.
These countries also have better access to CT and MRI scans. And delays in getting test results are lower.
More than 300,000 are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK but in four of the five other nations studied – Australia, Canada, Sweden and Norway – relatively more lives are saved.
Only Denmark fared worse in the study published in the British Medical Journal today.
For example, 9% of GPs in England would refer a 43-year-old woman with a worsening irritable bowel for tests. But 33% of doctors would refer her in the other countries.
In the UK 75% of patients survive bowel cancer for a year or more. In other countries the survival rate is 83%.
In the study 3,000 GPs were asked how they would manage patients with possible cancer.
They were also asked about access to specific tests, waiting times for tests and results and whether they could ask specialists for advice.
More than 70% of GPs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland reported direct access to blood tests, X-rays and ultrasound – similar to the rest of the countries. But the study said they were slower or more reluctant to use them.
Around one in five GPs in England reported good access to CT and MRI scans, at least half as much as in the other countries. UK GPs also reported some of the longest waiting times for CT, MRI and ultrasound results.
Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK’s director of early diagnosis, said: “This can contribute to cancers being diagnosed and treated at a later stage. 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 found earlier also costs less to treat, says the study.
Study author Dr Peter Rose, of Oxford University, said: “Further research is required to identify which specific factors could affect referral readiness for patients with cancer symptoms.”
The survey results come on the eve of the world’s biggest cancer conference, the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
More than 25,000 cancer doctors will meet to discuss how to prevent, treat and potentially cure the disease.
Survival rates are better in countries with comparable health systems where family doctors are faster at referring people for checks, or to specialists.
These countries also have better access to CT and MRI scans. And delays in getting test results are lower.
More than 300,000 are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK but in four of the five other nations studied – Australia, Canada, Sweden and Norway – relatively more lives are saved.
Only Denmark fared worse in the study published in the British Medical Journal today.
For example, 9% of GPs in England would refer a 43-year-old woman with a worsening irritable bowel for tests. But 33% of doctors would refer her in the other countries.
In the UK 75% of patients survive bowel cancer for a year or more. In other countries the survival rate is 83%.
In the study 3,000 GPs were asked how they would manage patients with possible cancer.
They were also asked about access to specific tests, waiting times for tests and results and whether they could ask specialists for advice.
More than 70% of GPs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland reported direct access to blood tests, X-rays and ultrasound – similar to the rest of the countries. But the study said they were slower or more reluctant to use them.
Around one in five GPs in England reported good access to CT and MRI scans, at least half as much as in the other countries. UK GPs also reported some of the longest waiting times for CT, MRI and ultrasound results.
Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK’s director of early diagnosis, said: “This can contribute to cancers being diagnosed and treated at a later stage. 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 found earlier also costs less to treat, says the study.
Study author Dr Peter Rose, of Oxford University, said: “Further research is required to identify which specific factors could affect referral readiness for patients with cancer symptoms.”
The survey results come on the eve of the world’s biggest cancer conference, the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
More than 25,000 cancer doctors will meet to discuss how to prevent, treat and potentially cure the disease.