More than a quarter of people in Doncaster diagnosed with cancer delayed contacting their GP
People are being urged to seek medical advice if they have cancer concerns
More than a quarter of people in Doncaster diagnosed with cancer delayed contacting their GP after initial health concerns, it has been revealed.
A cancer charity in Yorkshire is encouraging people to seek medical advice if they have concerns about their health after new data shows a quarter of people in the region who were later diagnosed with cancer waited before contacting their GP.
Analysis from Yorkshire Cancer Research shows 25% of people in Yorkshire did not contact their GP within three months of first thinking something might be wrong.
In Doncaster, 30% of people took longer than three months to seek help, while 7% waited more than 12 months.
Seeking medical advice promptly can help improve the chances of cancer being diagnosed at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
Cancers are often diagnosed through a route starting with a GP appointment.
GPs can refer people for further tests, scans and specialist appointments to investigate health concerns and if cancer is present, help ensure it is identified as early as possible.
The charity’s analysis of data from the recently published National Cancer Patient Experience Survey shows significant variation across Yorkshire in how quickly people seek help after first thinking something might be wrong.
Wakefield and North Kirklees recorded the highest proportion of people who waited more than three months before contacting their GP, with more than a third (34%) doing so.
In contrast, Harrogate recorded the lowest proportion, with 17% waiting longer than three months.
There are many reasons why people may not seek help from their GP straight away.
Work and caring responsibilities, transport challenges, worries about what symptoms might mean and cultural factors can all make it harder for people to access healthcare.
Research that takes place in Yorkshire can help better understand and tackle the unique barriers that different communities in the region may face.
However, for at least two decades Yorkshire has experienced inequalities in health research funding, preventing the region from unlocking its full research potential.
Yorkshire Cancer Research is calling for greater investment in Yorkshire through a fairer funding system, enabling more clinical research that can help meet the diverse needs of people across the region.