GPs Fail to Diagnose Cancer in Teenagers

About 25% teenagers with cancer had to see their General Practitioners (GP) at least 4-times before they were referred to a specialist, while about 1/5^th were not referred at all despite 59% patients having showed at least 2 of the most common symptoms like- pain, a lump or swelling, fatigue, headache or drastic weight loss. The survey was conducted by Teenage Cancer Trust. The survey also revealed that about 3 in 5 teenagers feel that their diagnosis could have been made faster. The findings highlight the need for considering early diagnosis of cancer among teenagers. It also suggests that health professionals should not take the symptoms lightly because delayed diagnosis significantly increases the stress and anxiety among young people and affects the survival of young patients.

The Teenage Cancer Trust is urging that the diagnosis rates of cancer in young people should be improved so that the outcome is better. The charity believes that the NHS and GP Consortia can play a big role in ensuring the availability of best possible diagnostic tools and referral pathways.


Source-Medindia