The important word here is 'diagnostic'. Most tumour markers are not diagnostic tests! We do not allow GPs to request tumour markers because of the number of false positives that would be found. Better to use the diagnostic tests to find the tumour and the markers for follow-up.
Douglas
Dr D Thompson
Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology
The General Infirmary
Leeds LS1 3EX
Tel 0113 3926503
Please visit our web-site at www.leedsteachinghospitals.com
>>> Jonathan Kay <[log in to unmask]> 12/1/11 13:00 >>>
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8253974/Cancer-GPs-given-powers-to-help-save-5000-lives.html
"GPs will be able to send patients directly for diagnostic tests such as X-rays to help diagnose lung cancer, ultrasounds to detect ovarian, liver and pancreatic cancers; colonoscopies for bowel cancer and MRI scans to aid brain cancer diagnosis."
As suspected, no mention of laboratory investigations, probably because they are already available to GPs everywhere as "open access"... or are they?
But how many of the investigations above are also available as "open access" to GPs? In Oxfordshire some are, but others require referral first.
Jonathan
On 12 Dec 2010, at 12:42, Jonathan Kay wrote:
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11970799
>
> What does this mean: are these investigations not open-access already? They are in Oxfordshire...
>
> Jonathan
>
>
>
>
>
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