Overview
- A YouGov survey of 6,844 adults for Cancer Research UK found 53% expected difficulty getting an appointment, 47% had difficulty, 44% downplayed symptom seriousness, and 43% chose to manage symptoms themselves.
- Other barriers included not wanting to be seen as making a fuss (40%), attributing symptoms to existing conditions or life changes (37%), and reluctance to have a remote appointment (37%).
- Cancer Research UK has trained pharmacists in more than 350 Tesco pharmacies to offer private conversations about symptoms, provide guidance on next steps, and help with GP bookings.
- NHS cancer lead Professor Peter Johnson said record numbers are being seen and treated with more early-stage diagnoses, urging people with concerns to contact a GP, pharmacist or another professional as soon as possible.
- Access pressures continue, with about 15% more patients per GP since 2015, research links a four‑week delay to cancer surgery to a 6–8% higher mortality risk, and recent two‑month and 31‑day treatment targets remain below NHS goals.