Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
26 April 2017 08:24
Many people are diagnosed with cancer during A&E visits
Nearly three-quarters of patients diagnosed with cancer in A&E had previously seen their GP with related symptoms, according to research.
The study found 71% of those diagnosed as an emergency had previously spoken to their doctor about an issue related to their eventual cancer diagnosis.
The new study involved academics from University College London, the University of Cambridge and Public Health England. Statistics concerning 4,637 patients diagnosed in A&E were used.
3 or 4 visits to the GP
One in four people who had seen their GP before being diagnosed in A&E had spoken to a doctor three or more times. Around two-thirds had only been once or twice. Experts said these patients had in some cases lung cancer or other hard-to-spot variants of the disease.
But there were also patients with more common cancers, for example:
- 1 in 3 breast cancer patients had visited their GP three or more times
- 2 in 5 people with bowel cancer had visited three or more times
People who have survived cancer can arrange specialist medical travel insurance for holidays and overseas travel.
The charities respond
Spokespeople from some of the UK's biggest cancer charities expressed concern at the findings.
Samia al Qadhi, chief executive of Breast Cancer Care, said: "We speak to women and men who tell us how incredibly distressing it is not to be taken seriously when they've found a possible symptom."
Judith Brodie, acting chief executive of Beating Bowel Cancer, said the fact that 41% of bowel cancer patients diagnosed in A&E had seen their GP three or more times was "concerning".
The study was published in the British Journal of General Practice.
24 May 2018
A recent report by Cancer Research UK claims young people who are exposed to just one extra junk food TV advert per week consume up to 18,000 extra calories every year.
[more...]
Eating one egg a day may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes, according to a new study.
22 May 2018
Theresa May is to give a speech explaining how artificial intelligence will be used to help prevent 22,000 cancer deaths a year by 2033.
19 May 2018
A recent study in Taiwan has revealed that heart attacks occur more frequently in cold weather - with the figure increasing "dramatically" when the temperature drops below 15C (59F).
18 May 2018
A team of scientists have managed to successfully conduct a "memory transplant" between snails by transferring RNA, a form of genetic information, from one snail to another.
17 May 2018
A new study has found that certain types of exercise do not prevent the onset or worsening of dementia and may even contribute to further cognitive impairment.
16 May 2018
The average British child has visited four European cities and been on three long-haul holidays as well as skiing twice - all before their 10th birthday.
15 May 2018
Ethiopian Airlines has unveiled a new "landmark" route from Manchester Airport to the north African city of Ethiopia.
12 May 2018
Health experts have expressed concern at recent outbreaks of measles across England.
Cinema drinks contain "unacceptable" levels of bacteria
10 May 2018
The HPV vaccine offered to teenage girls has proved to be safe and effective in preventing the virus that causes cervical cancer, an independent review has revealed.
09 May 2018
A new blood test for detecting peanut allergies is said to be more cost-efficient and less risky than previously-used methods.