New online tool ‘can aid bowel and pancreatic cancer diagnosis’

A new online tool has been developed by the University of Nottingham and ClinRisk that could facilitate the diagnosis of bowel and pancreatic cancer.

Researchers have created a pair of QCancer algorithms that allow GPs to cross-reference symptoms and risk factors of patients who may be most in danger of being affected by these two deadly cancer types.

In studies conducted using patient data from 564 GPs practices, the algorithms were shown to be able to accurately predict the development of cancer based on criteria such as symptoms, lifestyle factors and gender differences.

These algorithms could be integrated into GP computer systems and flag up patients who could be in danger, thus saving thousands of lives without the need for any advancement in medical technology.

Professor Julia Hippisley-Cox from the University of Nottingham's division of primary care said: "We hope these new tools will help GPs with the difficult task of identifying patients with suspected cancer earlier and that this in turn could help improve treatment options and outcomes for patients."

Earlier this month, data from Cancer Research UK showed that more than 100,000 cancer cases each year could be prevented through better living, such as reducing intake of nicotine, alcohol and unhealthy foods.