New tool may help improve diagnosis and treatment of cancer

Scientists have come up with new computer-based tools, which would assist doctors in speeding up the process of identifying and treating cancer.

November 1, 2011 - Washington

Scientists have come up with new computer-based tools, which would assist doctors in speeding up the process of identifying and treating cancer.

Researchers at The University of Nottingham and ClinRisk Ltd have shown that the algorithm is successful in identifying those suffering with gastro-oesophageal cancer and Lung Cancer at an earlier stage by 'red-flagging' potentially worrying combinations of symptoms and risk factors.

The results showed that the 10 per cent of the patients that the algorithm predicted as most at risk of developing one of the two diseases accounted for 77 per cent of all the gastro-oesophageal and Lung Cancers diagnosed over the following two years.

"Earlier diagnosis of cancer is a major challenge and we hope this new research will help doctors identify patients for earlier referral and investigation," said Professor Julia Hippisley-Cox, who led the research.

The tool could help GPs to improve their record on early diagnosis in line with current Government policy and the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI).

Evidence suggests that simply raising awareness of symptoms and speeding up diagnosis could save 5,000 lives a year without any new advances in medicine.

Two simple web calculators have been produced - one for Lung Cancer (www.qcancer/lung) and the other for gastro-oesophageal cancer (http://www.qcancer.org/gastro-oesophageal) - which are designed for use by doctors.

But a simpler version could also be made available on the Internet to raise awareness among the general public and to prompt patients with high risk factors or symptoms to seek advice from their doctor.

The results were recently published in the British Journal of General Practice.

ANI