NHS plan to achieve earlier cancer diagnosis

[maureenho]

NHS plan to achieve earlier cancer diagnosis and save lives

11 January 2015 Last updated at 09:32

Patients are to be given the option to refer themselves for cancer tests, as part of an NHS England bid to diagnose an extra 10% of people early.

It said it would start testing new ways of speeding up diagnosis, including offering patients the option to book appointments directly with a hospital or testing unit ahead of seeing a GP.

The body will also fund further trials of a pioneering form of radiotherapy.

Currently, around 25% of cancer diagnoses are made too late.

The plans are part of a drive to improve cancer survival rates in England, which are below the European average, especially for people over 75.

This would also result in a fall in the number of cancer diagnoses which have to be made in A&E.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30751771

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