The program will mean that those in England who have bumps, coughs, bleeding or other symptoms of cancer will no longer need to see a doctor before being referred to a specialist. It will remove some of the workload from hard-pressed GPs and give patients another choice. Amanda Pritchard, CEO of NHS England, announced the initiative in a speech Tuesday to thousands of senior health officials at the organization’s annual conference. Pritchard described it as a major innovation to help it achieve its goal of increasing the number of cancers in England at an early, more curable stage by half to three quarters by 2028. Britain has long been poor history of cancer detection at an early stage compared to other European countries. Hundreds of pharmacists have already expressed interest in becoming the first people to be trained to take on this new role. They may refer people whose symptoms they think may be signs of cancer to undergo diagnostic tests, such as a scan or endoscopy. The program will initially operate as a pilot in an unknown number of areas of England. However, GP leaders have warned that pharmacists could miss out on cancer unless they are trained to detect the disease at the same level as family doctors. Pritchard also revealed that people who may have liver cancer, which is closely linked to heavy alcohol consumption, will be able to have a scan in the back of trucks starting this month. They will park near GPs, city centers, supermarkets and homeless shelters and food banks to encourage groups who often do not seek advice about cancer symptoms for months after their appearance, such as men. and people in poorer areas. . A similar initiative has led to dozens of cases of lung cancer being detected earlier than if those involved had finally gone to discuss their concerns with their doctor. NHS England is also launching a new genetic testing program for mutations in the breast cancer gene in people of Jewish descent, who are 10 times more likely to have them than the general population. “From liver trucks traveling across the country to genetic testing and roadside tests, we want to make it as easy as possible for those most at risk of having vital, life-saving tests,” said the NHS boss in Liverpool. Cancer charities said the plans could help make a faster diagnosis. “By changing the way people approach health services, we have the potential to help diagnose more cancers at an early, more treatable stage,” said Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK. Nick James, professor of prostate and bladder cancer research at the Cancer Research Institute, said pharmacists ‘assessments could improve the NHS’ inadequate history of early diagnosis: “One in three UK cancers diagnosed at A&E. For many of these patients, their cancer will have spread and they will be less likely to survive. “The United Kingdom lags behind many other European countries in terms of cancer survival. “Innovative healthcare initiatives that contribute to the early diagnosis of cancer should be strongly supported.” Dr Richard Van Mellaerts, Executive Member of the GP Committee of the British Medical Association, welcomed the initiative. “It makes sense to have more staff across the community who are trained to detect the signs of cancer,” he said, adding, ” that there are no possible unanswered cases. “ Professor Martin Marshall, President of the Royal College of GPs, said: “GPs are already working closely with colleagues working in Community Pharmacy and we have great respect for their skills. “What is vital is that these pharmacists involved in the program have the appropriate training and support – both to identify potential signs of cancer and to support patients who may be worried or anxious – and that there is enough capacity in future services to meet the growing demand for existing delays “.
