New study shows how GP wording can accelerate cancer diagnosis

GPs can help ensure children are diagnosed with cancer more quickly through the wording of their referral letters to consultants.

This is according to a new study from the British Journal of Cancer, which was carried out in Denmark using questionnaires sent out to parents and doctors.

It was found that references in the GP notes to fatigue, anaemia or bruising was associated with a shorter time period between GP referral and diagnosing among leukaemia patients, while mentions of vomiting led to quicker identification of brain tumours.

Mentions of "alarm" or "serious disease" tended to lead to speedier diagnoses, while explicit mentions of cancer in GP letters also accelerated the process.

Jette Ahrensberg, lead researcher on the project from Aarhus University in Denmark, said: "Thankfully, childhood cancer is relatively rare, but this study is an important reminder of the crucial role GPs play in early diagnosis of these diseases."

This comes in the same month that GPs in the UK take on a greater role in commissioning NHS services, following major changes brought about by the Health and Social Care Act.