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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/nov/23/nhs-pathology-services-cannot-keep-up-with-increase-cancer-tests
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| NHS 'struggling to cope' with increase in people undergoing cancer tests NHS 'struggling to cope' with increase in people undergoing cancer tests | |
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| NHS pathology services cannot keep up with the increasing number of samples being taken from the growing number of people being tested for cancer, raising fears that some will be diagnosed late. | NHS pathology services cannot keep up with the increasing number of samples being taken from the growing number of people being tested for cancer, raising fears that some will be diagnosed late. |
| That is the conclusion of a report published on Wednesday by Cancer Research UK, which warns that units are “struggling to cope” with the number of biopsies and blood samples being taken as the ageing and growing population produces more cases of suspected cancer. | That is the conclusion of a report published on Wednesday by Cancer Research UK, which warns that units are “struggling to cope” with the number of biopsies and blood samples being taken as the ageing and growing population produces more cases of suspected cancer. |
| Experts fear the lack of capacity and shortages of pathologists could hamper the NHS-wide drive to improve Britain’s poor record in early identification of cancer. | Experts fear the lack of capacity and shortages of pathologists could hamper the NHS-wide drive to improve Britain’s poor record in early identification of cancer. |
| “Diagnostic services, including pathology, urgently need support and investment to ensure that diagnoses aren’t delayed and patients benefit from the latest treatment,” said Emma Greenwood, Cancer Research UK’s director of policy. | “Diagnostic services, including pathology, urgently need support and investment to ensure that diagnoses aren’t delayed and patients benefit from the latest treatment,” said Emma Greenwood, Cancer Research UK’s director of policy. |
| “The UK’s cancer survival is lagging behind other European countries and improving early diagnosis through diagnostic services is one of the ways to address this. The diagnostic bottleneck will only get worse without action now and this involves addressing staff shortages in imaging, endoscopy and pathology.” | “The UK’s cancer survival is lagging behind other European countries and improving early diagnosis through diagnostic services is one of the ways to address this. The diagnostic bottleneck will only get worse without action now and this involves addressing staff shortages in imaging, endoscopy and pathology.” |
| The research found that the number of NHS pathologists is failing to keep pace with rising demand, leaving pathology services under growing pressure. | The research found that the number of NHS pathologists is failing to keep pace with rising demand, leaving pathology services under growing pressure. |
| “Pathologists are the medical specialists who diagnose cancer. They also play a vital role in the prevention, treatment and monitoring of cancer and are at the forefront of research to improve the length and quality of life of people with the disease,”said Dr Suzy Lishman, president of the Royal College of Pathologists. | “Pathologists are the medical specialists who diagnose cancer. They also play a vital role in the prevention, treatment and monitoring of cancer and are at the forefront of research to improve the length and quality of life of people with the disease,”said Dr Suzy Lishman, president of the Royal College of Pathologists. |
| Meanwhile, women with ovarian cancer – the deadliest female cancer – are being “left stranded without vital support at every turn”, from diagnostic tests to access to nurses, according to a report by the charity Target Ovarian Cancer. | Meanwhile, women with ovarian cancer – the deadliest female cancer – are being “left stranded without vital support at every turn”, from diagnostic tests to access to nurses, according to a report by the charity Target Ovarian Cancer. |
| Its Pathfinder 2016 study found that only one in five UK women (20%) could identify bloating as a major symptom of the disease. | Its Pathfinder 2016 study found that only one in five UK women (20%) could identify bloating as a major symptom of the disease. |
| Two in five women (41%) visited their GP at least three times or more before they were referred for ovarian cancer tests, risking a delayed diagnosis. | Two in five women (41%) visited their GP at least three times or more before they were referred for ovarian cancer tests, risking a delayed diagnosis. |
| And 80% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer said they had encountered mental health problems since being diagnosed. | And 80% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer said they had encountered mental health problems since being diagnosed. |
| “Women with ovarian cancer are being failed at diagnosis, in access to trials and effective drugs, and they lack support,” said Annwen Jones, the charity’s chief executive. | “Women with ovarian cancer are being failed at diagnosis, in access to trials and effective drugs, and they lack support,” said Annwen Jones, the charity’s chief executive. |