A health board is promising to confirm or rule out cancer within seven days of an urgent check, as the first part of a national network of diagnostic ‘one stop shops’ launches.

NHS Dumfries & Galloway is one of three boards to host a new Early Cancer Diagnostic Centre that will provide GPs with an “alternative route” for patients who do not meet usual referral criteria.

Currently people who have general symptoms that could apply to more than one cancer – such as fatigue or weight loss – may have to attend multiple appointments for checks.

The fast-track centres, which are also being set up in Ayrshire & Arran, and Fife, are being delivered from existing NHS facilities.

They will offer a series of tests for patients with concerning but non-specific symptoms. Fife and Ayrshire & Arran will be working to a 21-day turnaround target, the Scottish government said.

“Worrying” analysis has suggested the pandemic led to around 1,000 fewer diagnoses for breast cancer alone last year.

Cancer Research UK went on to warn that around 4,000 fewer patients started treatment across all cancers.

Andy Glyde, the charity’s senior external affairs manager for Scotland, said: “Last year’s pause in breast cancer screening services, people putting off contacting their GP and the backlog of patients waiting for a diagnosis after having noticed a symptom, may have contributed to these ‘missing cancers’.

Under the new approach to fast track centres, which is being treated as a year-long pilot, patients will get a series of tests in primary care at the point of referral, followed by a CT scan that will be discussed by a team of hospital specialists.

All patients will be assigned a ‘navigator’ to support them throughout their experience and to answer any questions or concerns they, or their families, have at any time.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said the centres represented a “radical” change and would improve early detection.

“While the centres will have a wider health benefit in identifying other, serious health conditions, the focus remains on finding cancer as early as possible when it’s easier to treat,” he said.

The Scottish government says each board will introduce its own “distinct pathway in a phased approach”.

During the election the SNP promised to bring in one of these centres in each health board area.  

The manifesto also promised the party would look at whether ‘specific additional targets for different types of cancer and cancer treatments’ were necessary.

Read More: Cancer symptoms more likely to be ignored in pandemic;  Open letter to FM makes please over cancer backlog;  Call for rapid diagnosis to close deadly cancer gap.

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