Today, an announcement was made to the effect that the cancer survival rate in the UK is not as good as it should be when compared with the survival rate in other countries (though it does seem that where you live within the UK has an effect). The recommendation? The public should be better informed about the symptoms of cancer and go to their GP if worried. And, of course, GPs will be "encouraged" to refer patients on for further tests if they think it necessary; one of the biggest issues, it seems, is late diagnosis. Well, there's a surprise! Maybe the public could attend their GP's surgery sooner, but those of us who have been through the process know that it's not easy to get a referral and that rather than assuming the possibility of cancer, that is often the very last avenue that's explored. Maybe the tests are more expensive than checking for thyroid function, anaemia etc., but by the time you've been through a raft of tests ranging from least to most expensive, if you do have cancer, you're going to cost the national health service more than if they'd given you the most expensive test first - and you'd get an earlier diagnosis.
Why do I feel no confidence in this pronouncement?
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