‘Let more people self-test for lung cancer,’ experts say, as it’s key to early diagnosis

December 27, 2024, 06:17

More sufferers should be able to refer themselves for lung cancer screening tests, rather than waiting for their GP to order them, experts say.

It should be “easier” for people with symptoms of the disease to obtain chest X-rays and speed up diagnosis, researchers say.

In an analysis published in the British Journal of General Practice, academics and doctors, along with the charity Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, have called for the widespread adoption of services that allow patients to self-refer without consulting a general practitioner.

Experts cited on-demand chest x-ray services which have been set up in a number of locations, including Leeds and Greater Manchester.

Under these schemes, patients with symptoms such as persistent cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing can access radiology services directly, with the report of their x-ray sent to their GP.

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The authors say the wider rollout of these services “warrants urgent consideration” given the “current challenges patients face in accessing primary care”.

The analysis also suggests that the number of lung cancer cases detected by self-referral is similar to those referred by a GP.

Dr Stephen Bradley, lead author of the paper and a GP in Leeds, said: “A diagnosis of lung cancer can be devastating, but catching it early can make all the difference.

“We have made a lot of progress, but there is still much work to be done to diagnose the problem as quickly as possible.”

Other recommendations made by the experts include making data available on the number of chest X-rays ordered by GPs each year to highlight areas where patients can benefit.

They also suggest that messages about lung cancer symptoms be designed to reach people who have never smoked, as well as those who have smoked.

Dr Bradley added: “We need to make it easier for people with symptoms to have tests like a chest X-ray and find ways to raise awareness of the disease, including people who have not smoked.

“We hope that the UK health service will take these recommendations seriously and help us to give people with lung cancer the best possible chance.”

According to the NHS, more than 43,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK each year. Smoking is the most common cause, accounting for approximately 70% of cases.

The disease is more likely to be treated successfully if it is detected early.

In June 2023, it was announced that a targeted lung cancer screening program would be rolled out and available across England by 2029.

People aged 55 to 74, smokers or former smokers are eligible for screening.

Nick Whitehead, 58, from Newton Aycliffe, visited his GP several times with a persistent cough over the course of around 18 months, but was never sent for a chest X-ray.

He was eventually diagnosed with lung cancer two years later, during a visit to the emergency room after coughing up blood.

“I had many opportunities to be diagnosed earlier,” Mr Whitehead said. “I think I wasn’t sent for the tests because I was too fit.

“As a diver, my lung capacity is good, so I was not out of breath, but given that we are constantly told that a persistent cough is a symptom of lung cancer, it is strange that I did not not been sent for consultation at least.

“If I had the chance to ask for an X-ray, I would have had an X-ray done. My wife would have made sure of that.”

Paula Chadwick, chief executive of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said: “All too often we hear stories of people like Nick whose lung cancer could have been diagnosed earlier. It is imperative that we do everything we can to change this.

“We are making progress, largely due to screening, with 76% of people detected at stages one and two.

“However, with more than half of lung cancers occurring in people not eligible for screening and only about half of those eligible choosing to participate, improving early detection among people with symptoms is critical to transforming the long-term survival.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “As part of this Government’s plan for change to radically reform the NHS, we will tackle cancer on all fronts – through prevention, diagnosis , treatment and research.

“We are committed to transforming diagnostic services, including for lung diseases, so we can detect more cases earlier and treat them faster. We will also offer 40,000 more elective care appointments every week and invest a further £1.5 billion in new surgery centers and AI. scanners.”