Teenage Cancer Trust reaction to Scottish Government's Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer
The Scottish Government has published their Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer for healthcare professionals to identify and refer people with possible cancer symptoms. Having a diagnosis confirmed or ruled out as quickly as possible is important in managing the anxiety and uncertainty that can come with waiting for results, and for starting treatment as soon as possible if someone does have cancer.
- Published:
- Category:
- Policy
At the moment, we know that young people often have to visit the GP multiple times before receiving a referral. The Scottish Government’s renewed guidelines highlight the importance of improving awareness of the most common symptoms of cancer among teenagers and young adults – among young people themselves and among the healthcare workers who see them.
The most common warning signs are: lumps bumps and swellings, changes to a mole, unexplained tiredness, significant weight change, or persistent pain.
The Scottish Government is now providing guidance to GPs and other healthcare professionals who see young people, including to:
- Investigate any symptoms which are unexpected within this age group.
- Take account of young people who have had multiple appointments, including in A&E.
- Not delay referral to experts in cancer diagnosis while waiting for other test results.
- Offer clear guidance to young people and their families in navigating the referral pathway.
- Be aware that the more common cancer types seen in this age group are different to those in older adults.
The guidelines are an important milestone in improving timely diagnosis of cancer for young people in Scotland, and we look forward to continuing to work with partners to make sure they are widely used.
For more information on the most common signs and symptoms of cancer, and how to get checked out if you have any concerns, please visit our information page here.