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Nearly half of UK adults with red flag cancer symptom wait six months before contacting GP

Around half of UK adults with a possible cancer symptom wait six months or more before contacting their GP, according to a new poll.

Around half of UK adults with a possible cancer symptom wait six months or more before contacting their GP, according to a new poll.

The survey, undertaken by YouGov in conjunction with Cancer Research UK, surveyed 2,468 people online in February and March. In total, 1,230 participants experienced a possible symptom of cancer and 443 had a red flag symptom.

In total, just 48% of those who experienced a ‘red flag’ cancer symptom, like coughing up blood or finding an unusual lump, contacted their GP within six months of noticing it.

Cancer Research UK is now urging the general public to come forward if they experience any worrying changes. This is because catching cancer early, before it has the chance to grow and spread, greatly increases the chances of it being successfully treated.

For example, more than nine in 10 diagnosed with bowel cancer at its earliest stage survive their disease for five years or more, compared with one in 10 diagnosed at the latest stage.

Cancer must remain a top priority for the government

Cancer Research UK’s chief executive Michelle Mitchell said: “Spotting cancer early is vital if more people are to survive, and the first step in that process is getting help for a possible cancer symptom.

“It’s really worrying to see such a large gap in accessing services between the UK’s most and least deprived groups.

“Earlier this year, the Government announced among its top priorities were improving early diagnosis of cancer and tackling health disparities.

“Cancer must remain a top priority and with the upcoming Health Disparities White Paper and 10-Year Plan for England, the new Health and Social Care Secretary has a huge opportunity to transform cancer survival with a clear and strong plan that works for all.”

Stark differences in help seeking behaviours

The survey also revealed stark differences in help seeking behaviours between different groups. For example, those who contacted their GP from higher socioeconomic groups were more likely to successfully make an appointment (81%), compared to those from lower socioeconomic groups (74%).

Those from a lower socioeconomic background (48%) were also less likely to return to their GP if a symptom persisted compared to those from a higher socioeconomic background (60%).

Professor Katriina Whitaker, Lead for Cancer Care in the School of Health Sciences at the University of Surrey, says: “People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to face barriers at every stage of cancer care. But the first step of getting to the doctor can seem like the hardest.”

“People in these groups might be dealing with multiple illnesses or might live in an area where they’ve seen quite a lot of illness. Perhaps they’re more likely to be exposed to people with cancer that have had a negative experience, which can influence avoidant behaviour.”

While awareness campaigns that promote symptom awareness and the importance of early diagnosis are a good place to start, Prof Whitaker says we should look at what already exists. To do this, we should learn from other countries and implement different strategies being utilised elsewhere in the world

“We need to stop trying to reinvent the wheel and take stock of what people are doing and, most importantly, what’s working,” she concludes.

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