NHS plan to achieve earlier cancer diagnosis
Posted: 11 Jan 2015, 16:55NHS 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
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