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    GPs 'confused' on breast cancer referral

    Posted on 31/12/2007

    There is confusion amongst GPs in the UK regarding the referral of women with breast problems, according to a survey for a breast cancer charity.

    Breakthrough Breast Cancer says that of 200 doctors it polled, 10% said that they would direct a woman with a breast problem who had previously had breast cancer to a specialist via routine referral. Some 34% said they would routinely refer a woman under 30 with a lump where there were reasons for concern, such as a family history of the disease.

    In both cases, however, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines state that urgent referrals should be made.

    The charity is calling on the NHS to support all regions as they implement a maximum two-week wait for all breast problem referrals. The government has committed to implement the limit across the country by December 2009.

    Breakthrough Breast Cancer's chief executive Jeremy Hughes said: 'This survey shows how essential a simple two-week wait for all breast problem referrals is.'

    Responding to the poll, the British Medical Association denied that GPs are unclear on cancer referrals. Speaking to the BBC, spokesperson Dr Lawrence Buckman said: 'It's better to refer urgently if you suspect or even wonder if a patient has breast cancer.'

    He warned against grouping all patients together with urgent referrals, however, adding that 'if everyone is made an urgent case there will not be enough time in outpatients'.



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