Development of an intervention to expedite cancer diagnosis through primary care: a protocol

Early diagnosis of symptomatic ovarian cancer in primary care in the UK: opportunities and challenges

Background:

Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer-related death in the UK amongst women. Ovarian cancer presents particular challenges for general practitioners (GPs) to diagnose due to its rarity and presentation with non-specific symptoms.

Methods:

A narrative overview of the literature was conducted by searching PubMed and Researchgate for relevant articles, using keywords such as “ovarian cancer,” “primary care” and “diagnosis.”

Results and Discussion:

Studies have shown that in the UK, GPs have a lower readiness to refer and investigate potential cancer symptoms compared with their international counterparts; and this has been correlated with reduced survival. Early diagnosis can be facilitated through a people-focussed and system-based approach which involves both educating GPs and using risk algorithms, rapid diagnostic centres/multi-disciplinary centres and being data-driven through the identification of best practice from national audits. Further research is required into the best evidence-based early investigations for ovarian cancer and more effective biomarkers.

Making the Best Use of Resources in Global Cancer Care

Inequitable access to high-quality cancer control and care remains one of the greatest public health challenges in countries at all resource levels. Core issues include the limited oncology health care workforce and equitable access to affordable (essential) cancer diagnostics, medicines, surgery, systemic therapies, and radiotherapy, compounded by existing social inequalities. To reduce cancer health disparities globally and subnationally, countries can enhance their capabilities to deliver high-quality, affordable care closer to where most people live. Decentralization and integration of health services can be part of the solution, offloading the strained capacity of tertiary facilities where possible and expanding cadres of trained providers to support some aspects of cancer prevention and control that require a lesser degree of specialization. The strategy to eliminate cervical cancer provides a salient example of a data-driven effort that optimizes resources to dramatically reduce one of the greatest cancer health disparities globally. Here, we highlight two responses to meet the challenge through greater engagement of the primary care workforce and by adoption of universal health care coverage to ensure access to cancer prevention.