Yorkshire Cancer Research alarmed by county's poor record on contacting GP about cancer worries
Troubling new figures showing 17% of Harrogate people with cancer fears did not contact their GP within three months has prompted a Yorkshire charity to call for people not to delay seeking medical advice.
Yorkshire Cancer Research’s analysis of data from the recently published National Cancer Patient Experience Survey shows how the geography and demographics of where you live significantly influences your outcomes.
The study revealed significant variation across Yorkshire in how quickly people seek help after first thinking something might be wrong.
As a whole, the rate for contacting your GP across Yorkshire was 25% with Wakefield and North Kirklees recording the highest proportion of people who waited more than three months at 34%.
While Harrogate recorded the lowest proportion at 17%, Yorkshire Cancer Research said there was no reason to be complacent.
The charity is now working with ambassadors across Yorkshire to help raise awareness about how early cancer diagnosis can save lives and the importance of coming forward with symptoms .
Dr Stuart Griffiths, Director of Research, Policy and Impact at the charity, said: "We understand there are many reasons why people may delay contacting their GP.
"People lead busy lives, symptoms can be easy to overlook and some may feel worried about what they might hear.
"Most people who contact their GP will not have cancer but, if cancer is present, detecting it at an earlier stage can make a life-saving difference.
“We want everyone in Yorkshire to feel confident contacting their GP if something isn’t right.”
Yorkshire Cancer Research has also funded the RURALLY study, exploring how people living in rural Yorkshire experience and respond to the symptoms of cancer.
The study found that longer travel times, seasonal work pressures and fears of losing income from work were key factors contributing to delays in people visiting their doctor.
Dr Christina Dobson, lead researcher for the study, said: “Evidence suggests that people living in rural areas are less likely to survive cancer than those in urban areas.
"One of the reasons for this is that it takes longer for people there to be diagnosed with cancer.”