Seek GP treatment or risk chances of survival warns Yorkshire cancer specialists

People need to be alert to the symptoms of cancer and not be afraid to seek advice from their GPs or they could face aggressive treatments, or even worse, limit the chances of surviving as a consequence, cancer researchers from Yorkshire have warned.

Waiting to seek advice from their GPs, resulting in delays in diagnosing new cancers and getting treatment for those who already have the disease could significantly impact survival, according to new research from cancer experts.

The researchers – from four universities, including the University of Leeds, and the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance – warns that people need to be alert to the vaguer symptoms of cancer and not to be afraid to seek advice from their GPs.

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One of the researchers is Dr Richard Neal, a GP in Leeds, and professor of primary care oncology at the University of Leeds.

Far fewer GP face-to-face appointments are taking place due to coronavirius. Photo credit: JPIMedia.Far fewer GP face-to-face appointments are taking place due to coronavirius. Photo credit: JPIMedia.
Far fewer GP face-to-face appointments are taking place due to coronavirius. Photo credit: JPIMedia.

He said: "It's a huge concern.

"There are people out there that have symptoms that may be the first symptoms of cancer and they are not coming to us.

"This means they can't get a diagnosis, they can't get treated and the consequence of this is that some of these people will be diagnosed at a later stage and will need more aggressive treatments and will have worse chances of surviving as a consequence."

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Dr Richard Neal is a GP in Leeds, and professor of primary care oncology at theUniversityofLeeds. Photo credit: otherDr Richard Neal is a GP in Leeds, and professor of primary care oncology at theUniversityofLeeds. Photo credit: other
Dr Richard Neal is a GP in Leeds, and professor of primary care oncology at theUniversityofLeeds. Photo credit: other

However, with Covid-19 at the forefront, vague cancer symptoms such as fatigue, change in bowel habit and weight loss may be dismissed by the patient as trivial.

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Also respiratory symptoms including persistent cough may be attributed to Covid-19 and not acted on.

Dr Neal, who works at Hawthorn Surgery in Lower Wortley, said: "The number of people GPs have been seeing for cancer related problems in Leeds and Yorkshire has just dropped completely."

A recent survey by NHS England of 1,000 people found a third were worried about seeking help from their GP.

Top reasons included fear of catching coronavirus, giving it to family members, and being a burden on the health service.

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Dr Neal said: "It's been really quiet in most general practices around things that are not to do with worries about getting coronavirus.

"People either don't want to bother GPs because they felt that we would be really busy or they felt that they weren't worthy of time.

"That includes a lot of people with symptoms of cancer."

Trusts have been told all essential cancer treatments must continue despite the NHS focus on coronavirus.

But it is estimated cancer referrals have dropped by about 70%.

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Despite the new ways of working for GP practices those concerned with symptoms are being urged to seek advice from their local surgeries so vital referrals can be made.

Dr Neal said: "A very clear message now is that general practices are open for business.

"If you have any concerns about health then people need to be contacting us and we will find the best way of treating people."

The 56-year-old added: "There is a risk that if they have got cancer that they will be diagnosed at a later stage of cancer where they will need more aggressive and unpleasant treatments and no-body wants that.

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"People with early stage cancer have a good chance of having a cure and surviving very well and people are putting themselves at risk by not contacting us.

"It will take quite a little while to get public confidence back into knowing they can come to GPs and to take those symptoms further if they are concerned about them."

The research also showed some GPs may not be able to access timely routine tests because hospitals are focused on covid-19 – which adds to the importance of picking up on symptoms.

It was recommended planning should start now, for when services begin to return to normal across the NHS.

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The report said: “There will be a huge backlog of patients with potential cancer symptoms needing urgent assessment. Planning for recovery should commence as soon as possible.”

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