Check4Cancer, the reliable and trusted provider of early cancer detection and genetic services in the UK, delivers audit results from its private breast cancer diagnostic pathway at the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO) 2020 virtual summit. The results show that Check4Cancer’s OneStop Breast Clinic UK network provides clinical excellence for patients experiencing symptoms of breast cancer.
The audit confirms that of the 5188 patients who received same day triple assessment, 87% of women seen without GP referral were reassured and discharged on the same day. The average time to the first appointment attended was 3.6 days and the average feedback score was 95/100. The cancer diagnosis rate rose with increasing age from 1.4% in the under 40s to 10.5% in the over 60s. Women with breast cancer symptoms can be reassured that this private service is safe, reliable, fast and offers 100% compliance with NICE guidelines for best practice.
Check4Cancer has developed a safe pathway where all clinical, imaging and biopsy investigations are performed on the same day. This best practice, OneStop pathway is available at all more than 50 OneStop breast clinics, conducted by a network of 52 consultant breast surgeons throughout the UK, with a breast radiologist present in clinic. All surgeons are vetted before joining the network and must report all investigations performed and results from each case. This safe breast cancer diagnostic service was developed in order to prevent patients from being mis-diagnosed as uncovered in the Paterson Inquiry.
Prof Gordon Wishart, Chief Medical Officer at Check4Cancer and the lead author, commented, “During breast awareness month, and while we await the government response to publication of the Paterson Inquiry Report earlier this year, I am delighted that Check4Cancer has given patients rapid access to an accurate and reliable diagnosis, reducing average times to be seen and improving patients’ experience in the private sector. I am also really pleased that we were able to continue face to face consultations and same-day investigations for insured and self-funding patients with breast symptoms all the way through lockdown, albeit via a slightly reduced network”.
Audit authors
G. Wishart1, D. Ghosh2, G. Davies3 , A. Kasem4 , J. Holliday5 , L. Mills6.
1Anglia Ruskin University, School of Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
2Check4Cancer, Cancer Diagnostics, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
3Royal Free Hospital, Breast Unit, London, United Kingdom.
4Bupa Cromwell Hospital, Breast Unit, London, United Kingdom.
5Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Breast Unit, London, United Kingdom.
6Check4Cancer, Information Technology, Cambridge, United Kingdom.