NHS rolls out new cancer centres where patients can get same-day results to speed up cancer diagnosis and boost survival rates
Medics claim the initiative will save lives by improving tumour detection, allowing GPs to refer patients with vague symptoms
THE NHS is rolling out one-stop cancer testing centres to speed up diagnosis times.
Medics claim the initiative, which has seen ten specialist units open across England, will save lives by improving tumour detection.
It allows GPs to refer patients with vague symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, sweating, tummy pain and tiredness, for a cancer MoT.
Some will receive a definitive diagnosis or the all-clear on the same day.
And those needing several tests will get a diagnosis within a fortnight.
Until now, patients with unclear symptoms would be sent back and forth for checks, such as blood tests or CT scans, that can take months.
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Cally Palmer, cancer director at NHS England, said: “Early diagnosis is crucial to saving lives.
"These one-stop shops represent a real change in the way people with unclear symptoms are treated.” Around 360,000 Brits get cancer each year.
The centres, coordinated with Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK, include London, Manchester and Leeds.