Referral delays ‘leading to lower cancer survival rates in the UK’

Cancer survival rates in the UK may not be as high as they ought to be due to delays in GP referrals, according to new research.

Results from the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, a collaboration between six countries with similar healthcare systems, revealed that GPs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are less likely to immediately refer people with possible cancer for tests or to a specialist.

This is despite the fact that a link exists between survival rates and the likelihood of GPs being more likely to refer patients immediately or not. UK-based GPs were least likely to refer quickly, while UK cancer survival is lower than each of the other countries examined, except for Denmark.

Moreover, England, Wales and Northern Ireland also reported some of the longest waiting times for the results of CT, MRI and ultrasound scans.

Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK's director of early diagnosis, said: "Cancer Research UK is working with GPs to improve early diagnosis and with local and national decision makers to ensure people with cancer are diagnosed promptly and efficiently."