Thousands of people with blood cancer are only being diagnosed after going to A&E because GPs are failing to spot the symptoms, a shock report has warned.
More than 30,000 people, ranging from babies to grandparents, are told they have the disease every year. One in three will die.
Yet an alarming 57% of those with acute leukaemia - the severest form of the disease - are being diagnosed in a hospital’s emergency department. And 30% of those with chronic leukaemia also only find out in A&E.
This compares to just 4% of breast cancer patients who find out they have the disease in A&E and 3% of skin cancer sufferers.
Patients diagnosed at such a late stage face a much slimmer chance of survival because there is a higher risk their cancer will have spread.
A damning report by Leukaemia CARE also reveals that 38% of blood cancer patients have had to see their GP two or more times before being referred to hospital to see a specialist.
This compares to just 8% of breast cancer patients and 11% of people with skin cancer.
Experts say GPs too often miss blood cancer symptoms - which include night sweats, tiredness and bruises on the body - or do not send enough patients for tests. In some cases, their training is simply out of date.
Cancer charities are calling on the Government to do more to provide training support for GPs and practice nurses to help them recognise the symptoms of blood cancer.
Experts also want to raise awareness among the general public so they know when to contact their GP.
Leukaemia CARE director of campaigning Tony Gavin told the Daily Mirror: “The number of people with blood cancer being diagnosed at a late stage is very concerning.
“Blood cancer can be hard to identify. As a result, GPs and nurses need to be equipped with dedicated resources to enable them to spot the key signs and symptoms, and decide whether further tests or a referral to a specialist is appropriate.
“Identifying potential cases at the earliest opportunity will help to improve outcomes for patients, as well as reduce the burden on A&E departments.”
Being diagnosed with cancer at a late stage is a huge problem in the UK. Overall, one in four cancer patients are diagnosed in A&E, according to the latest figures from the National Cancer Intelligence Network.
Alarmingly, the figure rises to one in three in people aged over 70.
Dr Martine Bomb, head of early diagnosis at Cancer Research UK, told the Daily Mirror: “Late diagnosis is a complex issue - it can be due to some patients thinking their symptoms are not serious, so delaying visiting their GP, but delays in primary and secondary care can also play a part.
“The average GP in the UK will see only seven cancer cases a year and some cancers very rarely in their careers.
“Cancer Research UK is working to support GPs diagnose cancer as soon as possible. Cancer isn’t a simple problem but by helping experts and the public to better understand the possible symptoms of the disease, we hope we can ensure more people survive their disease.”
The Medical Defence Union, which represents UK doctors in legal cases, says delayed or missed diagnosis is the most common cause of complaints against GPs.
The Leukaemia CARE report also contains the worrying findings of a survey which show that more than one in four blood cancer patients felt their GP did not respond to their concerns when they first reported health problems.
The poll also found 43% of blood cancer patients and carers said the quality of information they were given on treatment options could have been improved.
One blood cancer patient, who asked not to be identified, said: “The results of this survey reflect my own experience with my GP.
“I often felt that I wasn’t being listened to when I went to see him and, as a result, I wasn’t sent for a blood test until I had been to see him several times. The delay was very worrying.
“I know blood cancer is not always easy to diagnose so I fully support the need to address this problem.
"I feel that many blood cancer patients like myself should be diagnosed much earlier as this will help to take away much of the worry and might improve quality of life in the long term.”