Cancer risk scores running automatically in GP records to prompt urgent referral
Computers can combine minor symptoms, blood tests and age into a cancer risk score in the background. Showing that score to the GP could get more people referred earlier.
QCancer and similar algorithms exist but are rarely used because they need manual entry. Propose EHR-embedded, passively computed risk scores with a threshold-triggered prompt, tested in a randomised trial with stage at diagnosis and emergency presentation as endpoints, following the template of the UK ERICA cluster trial.
- Most lethal cancers are found late · Screening exists for only a few cancers. Pancreatic, ovarian, liver, oesophageal and most lung cancers are found when cure is unlikely.
- Fragmented care and guideline gaps · Patients fall between specialists, wait for referrals and often do not get the treatment guidelines say they should.
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- CompanyGuardant Health
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