article_snippet.sent: Patients who always see the same GP are more likely to have cancer symptoms missed, research has shown.
article_snippet.sent: A study found that if doctors know patients well, patients could mistake warning signs for ongoing medical problems or depression.
article_snippet.sent: Patients who always see the same GP are more likely to have cancer symptoms missed, research has shown (posed by model)
article_snippet.sent: The findings, published in the British Journal of General Practice, show that seeing the same GP was not linked to a later diagnosis for breast cancer or lung cancer.
article_snippet.sent: But according to A study, doctors who are ‘familiar’ with patients can ‘misattribute’ new symptoms to ongoing medical complaints or even depression.
article_snippet.sent: GP and lead researcher Dr Matthew Ridd said: ‘GPs should follow up patients who present with potential cancer symptoms to make sure GP and lead researcher Dr Matthew Ridd receive a timely diagnosis.
article_snippet.sent: But your regular doctor might not be the best person to spot those symptoms in the first place.
article_snippet.sent: So in some cases getting a second opinion from a different doctor could speed up the time to diagnosis.
article_snippet.sent: The findings, published in the British Journal of General Practicethe British Journal of General PracticeGeneral Practice, show that seeing the same GP was not linked to a later diagnosis for breast cancer or lung cancer (posed by model)
article_snippet.sent: And last summer Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt pledged to name and shame GPs who fail to pick up on early warning signs and refer patients for urgent tests.
article_snippet.sent: Dr Richard Roope, Cancer Research UK’s GP expert, said: ‘These intriguing findings suggest that in some cases a fresh pair of eyes could be better at spotting early signs of cancer.
article_snippet.sent: Anything that can be done to support GPs in diagnosing cancer earlier is worth pursuing.
article_snippet.sent: And Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK’s director of early diagnosis, said:
article_snippet.sent: ‘This study provides a useful insight into how seeing the same doctor could impact the time to cancer diagnosis.
article_snippet.sent: we do everything possible to help GPs refer patients with potential cancer symptoms without delay.