UK cancer death rates caused by delays in sending patients for tests, research suggests

The research involved 2,795 primary care physicians (PCP) in 11 jurisdictions across the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Canada and Australia. The only country with a lower survival rate than the UK was Denmark.

The principle findings section of the paper reads: “Using an online survey in 11 jurisdictions, we have demonstrated a correlation that suggests a relationship between the readiness of PCPs to investigate or refer for suspected cancer and cancer survival in each jurisdiction.”

These findings prompt concerns that lives are being lost because UK GPs are reluctant to refer patients for expensive tests if there is only a small chance they have cancer.

Additionally, the research finds that only one in five GPs in England reported having direct access to CT and MRI scans while all other countries reported at least twice the level of direct access. The UK also has waiting times of almost five weeks for ultrasounds, used to diagnose ovarian cancer, compared to less than two weeks in Australia.

Sara Hiom of Cancer Research UK, who funded the study, said: “GPs have a difficult job to do, they have to ensure those who need specialist tests get them, without overloading a health system that’s already strained. But their role as gatekeepers to further investigation and specialist care does need to be reviewed in the current context.”

Read the research paper