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New Research Reveals Delays in Cancer Diagnosis for Children and Young People
- A study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe reveals insights into delays in cancer diagnosis for children and young people in the UK.
- The research led by Dr. Sharna Shanmugavadivel quantified intervals and routes to diagnosis, highlighting disparities and challenges in diagnostic timing.
- Ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic status did not influence diagnostic timing significantly, but teenagers and certain cancer types faced notable delays.
- The median diagnostic interval across all participants was 4.6 weeks, varying based on age groups and cancer types.
- Adolescents aged 15-18 experienced the longest median interval of 8.7 weeks, while infants under one year had the shortest at 3.7 weeks.
- Bone tumors had the longest diagnostic duration at 12.6 weeks, while kidney tumors were diagnosed most rapidly at 2.3 weeks.
- Most pediatric cancer patients had multiple medical consultations before diagnosis, with 67% diagnosed in emergency settings.
- Certain cancers like Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and bone tumors had higher frequencies of medical visits before diagnosis, contributing to delays.
- The study emphasizes the need for enhanced clinical vigilance, especially in primary care and emergency medicine.
- The findings serve as a foundation for policy development and healthcare strategies to accelerate diagnoses and improve treatment outcomes.
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