Cancer case finding involves actively searching for suspected cases within known high-risk groups or during a clinical encounter for, and referring individuals on for further testing and follow-up of the cancer pathway, to catch different types of cancer early, often before they are showing symptoms, or when treatment is more effective. This could involve searching patient records for specific health conditions or warning signs, in order to flag them for a targeted and proactive pathway.
Many people have contact with their primary care GPs for routine or other healthcare needs, yet often, signs of cancer can go unnoticed or undetected. Here at SWAG, we recognise that our local Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and GP practices are best-placed to run local pilots that support proactive earlier diagnosis, yet, often lack the additional funds to set up and run projects.
That's why we launched new Primary Care Case Finding Pilot, looking to fund projects across primary care that could result in earlier diagnosis of cancer. Due to strong interest, SWAG Cancer Alliance is funding three new pilots. Each pilot will run for 12 months with ongoing data collection. Evaluation support will be provided by the Health Innovation Network.
Newly funded Primary Care Case Finding Pilots
Persistently Raised Platelets - Early Detection of LEGO-C (Lung, Endometrial, Gastric, Oesophageal and Colorectal) Cancers
Identifying patients with consistently elevated platelet counts and assessing them for potential early signs of LEGO-C cancers.
Pilot site: East Trees Health Centre, BNSSG
Recurrent UTIs - Earlier Identification of Bladder Cancer
Reviewing patients with repeated urinary tract infections and assessing their need for further investigation to support earlier detection of bladder cancer.
Pilot site: Gordano Valley PCN (BNSSG), Bridge View Medical PCN (BNSSG), Mendip/Mendip Concord PCN (BNSSG), Keynsham PCN (BSW)
High-Risk Groups – Early Detection of Oral Cancer
Proactively offering mouth checks to patients from areas of high deprivation who smoke or have a history of smoking and high alcohol intake, to support earlier diagnosis of oral cancer.
Pilot site: Wellington Road Family Practice, BNSSG
