20,000 drop in urgent referrals for lung cancer

A survey carried out by Cancer Research UK has found that reluctance to attend hospital tests and come forward about symptoms could be contributing to delays in lung cancer diagnosis.

The study of 1,000 GPs has helped to explain a decline in both diagnosis and treatment rates for the disease, with urgent referrals dropping by 34 per cent since March 2020.

Data shows that approximately 20,300 fewer people in England were urgently referred for suspected lung cancer between March 2020 and January 2021 compared to the same period the year before, while nine per cent fewer started treatment between April 2020 and January 2021.  

Results from the February survey show GPs were most worried that patients not wanting to receive care was leading to lung cancer delays. The highest reported concern was reluctance to attend hospital for tests, followed by patients with symptoms not coming forward to primary care.

Getting a diagnosis for lung cancer when it’s at its earliest stage and more susceptible to treatment is vital. Discovery at this point means 57 per cent of people will survive the disease for five years or more, compared with three per cent when diagnosed at the latest stage.

Cancer Research UK has called on the government and NHS leaders to give cancer services the resources needed to ensure patients can swiftly receive tests and a prompt diagnosis.