The practice of "safety netting" patients with non-specific symptoms is still the best way to ensure that latent cancer is detected – but it can be improved, researchers say today.
The safety net is when a GP tells a patient to come back if symptoms such as cough, fatigue or abdominal pain do not go away – or if there are further symptoms.
A review conducted by Dr Brian Nicholson, of Oxford University, UK, has found little evidence on how effective the use of safety-netting is.
But Dr Nicholson says there is some evidence on how best to do it.
He says doctors should ensure they explain to patients that there is uncertainty about what may be causing their symptoms.
There should also be systems to ensure that test results are reviewed by someone with knowledge of cancer guidelines, he says.
Writing in The BMJ, he says: “It is important that patients continue to visit their doctor until their symptoms are explained. We know that doctors are safety netting every day to keep their patients safe.
"By conducting research on safety netting we will be able to understand which safety netting messages and systems are effective.”
Practice: Can safety netting improve cancer detection in patients with vague symptoms BMJ 10 November 2016 [abstract]
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