Cancer Early Diagnosis
PCN DES Cancer Early Diagnosis
Primary care plays an essential role in the early detection and timely referral of patients with potential cancer symptoms. In line with the PCN DES Specification 2026/27, these resources are available to support the primary care workforce to meet the requirements of the service contract for cancer early diagnosis and help improve patient outcomes.
What's happening
Resources
PCN DES Cancer Early Diagnosis Webinar
Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance have created a webinar to help primary care to navigate the requirements and access relevant support and resources.
A recording of the webinar is available here. (Link coming soon).
Cancer Early Diagnosis Dashboard
The data dashboard has been created to make it easier to access data on cancer referrals, staging data and screening uptake. It can also be used to access data on demographics to understand under represented groups as a starting point to address inequalities. Contact us on [email protected]
What's happening
Improving Referral Practice
Information on urgent suspected cancer referral
Every patient referred onto an urgent suspected cancer pathway should be given the Cancer Research UK leaflet ‘Your urgent suspected cancer referral’ at the point of referral. This leaflet provides clear, trusted and nationally consistent information for patients, and supports both patient experience and effective management of cancer diagnostic pathways.
You can use the link to the pdf version below to share with patients through text or email.
Your_urgent_suspected_cancer_referral_-_print_at_home.pdf
If you wish to order free printed copies to give to patients, you can order those here:
Your urgent suspected cancer referral – Cancer Research UK Publications)
Improving the Quality of Your Cancer Referrals
Improving the Quality of Your Cancer Referrals (Gateway C)
This course aims to support healthcare professionals in making clinically appropriate suspected cancer referrals and preparing patients. You will be presented with specialist discussions alongside examples of patient communication and a range of activities to reinforce learning points.
Safety Netting
Access Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance’s A-Guide-to-Cancer-Safety-Netting-in-Primary-Care.pdf aimed at supporting GPs and other professions in dealing with uncertainty, communicating with patients and ensuring no one gets lost in a complex NHS system.
Screening resources
Bowel Grid Cancer Research UK have developed a practical tool for health system professionals that can be used alongside local uptake data [link to local cancer dashboard] and insights to help you identify which interventions are most likely to improve bowel screening uptake among groups with lower participation.
CANCER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Meet Our Team
Jason Feavers
Primary Care Education Facilitator (Cancer Early Diagnosis)
Summer Longton
Senior Administrator & Project Support Manager