Great Britain
This article was added by the user . TheWorldNews is not responsible for the content of the platform.

Half of UK adults with red flag cancer symptoms 'have not contacted a GP in six months'

Study finds half of UK adults do not contact their primary care physician within 6 months despite discovering possible cancer symptomsI know.

Only 48% of people with red flag cancer symptoms, including symptoms such as hemoptysis, unexplained weight loss, and new or abnormal lumps, contacted their primary care physician within six months. His YouGov poll for Cancer Research UK included him at 2,468.

Not talking to your doctor about unusualhealth changesor possible signs of cancer can reduce your chances of diagnosing cancer early, with devastating consequences. may be connected.

For example, more than 9 out of 10 people (92%) can survive colon cancer for 5 years or more when diagnosed at stage 1 (the earliest stage). This compares with 1 in 10 (10%) he was diagnosed with at stage 4, the most recent stage.

Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK, said: “It is truly worrisome that there is such a large gap in access to services between the most and least disadvantaged groups in the UK.

"Cancer must remain a top priority, and with the White Paper on Health Inequities and the UK's 10-year plan, the new Secretary of Health and Human Services ,we have a tremendous opportunity to changecancer survival rates, and we have a clear and strong plan to help everyone."

ALTRINCHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Doctor Judah Eastwell a GP at St Johns Medical Centre, consults a patient via a video link to their home on April 13, 2020 in Altrincham, England.
Higher socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to get GP appointments

Research also found differences in people's help-seeking behavior between the least and least disadvantaged groups.

Among those who contacted the GP within 6 months, those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds had more successful bookings than those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. More likely (81%). group (74%).

After appointment, people with lower socioeconomic backgrounds were more likely than people with higher socioeconomic backgrounds (60%) to return to GP if possible cancer symptoms persisted. were less active (48%).

Early diagnosis makes treatment more effective and improves chances of survival. But people with poorer backgrounds are more likely to be diagnosed via the emergency route, resulting in a worse treatment experience and lower survival rates, experts say.

Professor Katriina Whitaker, an expert in UK cancer research asking for help, said:

“Seeking help is a major hurdle to overcome for many people with cancer symptoms. Access to is also important.”

She added that it is important to use campaigns that target low-profile groups where appropriate. Cancer symptoms.

According to Cancer Research UK, an increase of 30,000 cases of cancer each year in the UK is attributable to socioeconomic deprivation.

UK Smoking rates in are approximatelyobesityrates in the UK are about 60% higher in disadvantaged groups than in disadvantaged groups.

It also means that people from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to have experienced cancer up close and are more likely to fear what their doctors will discover and be more likely to seek help.

Taking time off from work can also affect this, says the charity.

Unweighted data from

adults 18 years and older, conducted online from February 9 to March 3, 2022, showed that 1,230 people experienced possible cancer symptoms, It has been shown that 50% of participants who experienced symptoms of possible cancer did not contact their primary care physician within 6 months.

Approximately 443 participants (unweighted figures) experienced changes in mole appearance, unexplained bleeding, persistent difficulty swallowing, persistent pain, unexplained weight loss, coughing, etc. experienced red flag cancer symptoms. Blood or a new or unusual lump.

Findings are weighted by age, gender, social class, UK country, region of England and ethnicity, and are representative of all UK adults aged 18 and over.

Don't miss the latest news from Scotland and beyond - sign up for our daily newsletter HERE

Read: