Patients are putting off cancer checks due to difficulties booking GP appointments, a damning study has found
Brits with cancer symptoms are being deterred from seeking help due to their difficulties in getting GP appointments, a damning study has revealed.
Cancer Research UK warned that the ‘worrying’ delays could damage survival rates.
The charity acknowledged that it was ‘not always easy’ to see a GP, but stressed that anyone who fears they may have the disease should ‘stay in touch’.
The survey, which questioned 4,000 people, found that almost half (48 percent) of those who had experienced a possible cancer symptom did not contact their GP within six months.
Cancer Research UK warned the ‘worrying’ delays could damage survival rates (Stock Image)
Even 47 percent of patients with “red flag” symptoms, such as an unexplained lump or coughing up blood, waited at least that long.
One in five (20 percent) respondents said the main reason they put off contacting their GP was because they ‘find it difficult to get an appointment’. 13 percent said they had trouble getting one at a convenient time and 11 percent did not. wanting to be seen as someone who is making a fuss.
Similar numbers were concerned about wasting their GP’s time (12 per cent), worried they wouldn’t be taken seriously (10 per cent) or worried about putting an extra burden on the NHS (10 per cent).
Dr. Richard Roope, GP and primary care adviser for Cancer Research UK, said: ‘I would urge people to contact their practice if they discover anything that concerns them. That’s not always easy, but they have to persevere.’
Even 47 percent of patients with ‘red flag’ symptoms, such as an unexplained lump or coughing up blood, waited at least six months to contact their GP (Stock Image)
The research shows that people are generally good at knowing the signs of cancer – with respondents able to recognize an average of 12 out of 15 of the most common symptoms – but concerns have also been raised that some are turning down invitations for screenings because they wrongly think that these are only intended for cancer research. those with symptoms.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: ‘If people have signs of a serious illness such as cancer, they should make an appointment immediately.’
An NHS England spokesperson said: ‘Although cancer survival rates are at an all-time high, it remains vital that people come forward and get checked if they have symptoms – with GPs now able to refer people directly for testing. ‘