I am so thrilled that I was able to be involved in this interview with Channel 5 News, mainly because it is this exact issue that made me want to share my story in the first place. I have written about the years of difficulty I had getting referred by GPs here.
I was asked to take part in this interview because of research published in the British Medical Journal on thursday that GPs in the UK are less likely to immediately refer people with possible cancer for tests than those in comparable countries. UK-based GPs are least likely to refer quickly and UK cancer survival is lower than each of the other countries examined except for Denmark. Admittedly I have never been to medical school, but I assume I am not the only person to whom this is blazingly obvious.
The fact I hate seeing myself on film aside, I thought Channel 5 did an amazing job putting this together. It really gets to the heart of what so many cancer patients I have met, feel happened to them. Being dismissed when they know something is wrong. So remember, if you know something is wrong, do not take no for an answer and get that referral!
In the meantime, happy watching. Nx
New figures suggest doctors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are slower to refer patients for cancer tests compared to those in other countries, like Australia and Canada.Dominic Reynolds meets a young mother who’s lucky to be alive after waiting five years to be diagnosed with bowel cancer:
Posted by Channel 5 News on Friday, May 29, 2015
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And I thought the United States was the worst! Congrats on your 15 minutes of fame Nicola 🙂
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Haha, thank you!
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Although I don’t believe the USA was included. Presumably because ta not a comparative healthcare system… So it could well be?! X
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