NICE guidance introduces symptom-based approach to cancer diagnosis

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has updated its cancer diagnosis guidelines to introduce a new symptom-based approach.

Designed to support GPs to recognise the signs and symptoms of 37 different cancers and refer people for the right tests faster, the updated and redesigned guidelines represent a significant change compared to the 2005 version.

The document sets out clear tables linking signs and symptoms to possible cancers and includes simple recommendations about which tests to perform and the type of referral to specialist services that should be made.

This will compel GPs to consider the possibility of cancer sooner and refer people for tests quicker, thus helping more people to receive an early diagnosis and achieve better outcomes.

Professor Mark Baker, clinical practice director at NICE, said: "The best way to successfully treat cancer is to make an early diagnosis. The sooner the disease is identified, the more likely treatment is to be effective. Earlier diagnoses have the potential to save thousands of lives each year."

It is estimated that around 5,000 lives could be saved each year in England alone by making an earlier diagnosis of cancer.