"Shocking" waits for diagnosis faced by teenagers must be addressed
New research from the University of Nottingham has shown that young people aged between 15 and 18 are experiencing average waits of almost nine weeks from first symptoms to confirmed diagnosis, the longest waiting time for all under-18s.
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This new study shows the challenges facing young people, who are also the age group most likely to need to see a doctor three or more times before being referred.
Kate Collins, Chief Executive at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “This new study is further evidence that teenagers with cancer face severe delays when it comes to getting a diagnosis, and risk being left behind. For older teens to wait on average two months to be diagnosed after first symptoms are spotted is shocking.
“Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in young people and progress on speed of diagnosis will be measured in lives. The Government has the opportunity to take action to improve this in the upcoming National Cancer Plan for England.
“It’s imperative that the National Cancer Plan for England includes commitments that will speed up diagnosis, include guidance and tools for GPs and healthcare professionals to increase their awareness of symptoms of cancer in young people. The Government must also urgently launch a public health campaign to raise awareness of the main symptoms of cancer in young people.
“The opportunity is there for the Government to make a huge difference to the health of a generation – and the time to act on this is now.”
Teenage Cancer Trust’s #AndYoungPeople campaign has been calling on the Government to ensure that the voices of young people are heard in the development of the National Cancer Plan for England.
The charity has also made a number of specific recommendations to the Government for the upcoming National Cancer Plan for England. These include:
- On Faster Diagnosis: Teenage Cancer Trust is calling for support and training for GPs and healthcare professionals so that they can increase their awareness of symptoms of cancer in young people. The charity also believes that a public health campaign to raise awareness of the main symptoms of cancer in the young is urgently needed.
- On Clinical Trials: Teenage Cancer Trust is calling for every young person with cancer in the UK to have the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial where a suitable one is available.
- On Mental Health: Teenage Cancer Trust believes that in every UK nation, every teenage and young adult with cancer must be able to access expert psychological support from a trained psychologist from the point of diagnosis and for a minimum of two years post-treatment.